By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Fr. John Larrea SDB, a veteran missionary who worked in the North East for 67 years, passed away on Wednesday at 2:45 AM at Nazareth Hospital here. He was 92 years of age.
He had been ailing for sometime due to old age and was admitted to the hospital for treatment a few days ago.
Fr. Larrea, one of the valiant missionaries of the Church, was well known among the people of Shillong. Since 1978, he has helped as a confessor and co-pastor at the Grotto Chapel, Shillong.
The Salesian Congregation mourned the passing away of Fr. Larrea.
His mortal remains have been kept at the Don Bosco Technical School Chapel. The funeral mass will take place on April 18 at 2 PM at the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Laitumkhrah.
His mortal remains will be laid to rest at the Catholic Cemetery, Laitumkhrah.
Fr. Larrea left Spain for the Salesian missions of Assam and arrived in Shillong in 1946. He had been a pioneering missionary in Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, paying particular attention to the training of lay catechists for the evangelization of the tribal people.
“As a young priest, Fr. Larrea was jovial and anyone could easily approach him,” said Fr. John Kalapura, a priest in charge of the aspirants at Savio Juniorate, Mawlai.
“He was a practical person in every way. He could put his hand to any work be it carpentry, writing or manual works,” Fr. John said.