Fr Patrick Naughton - Passing of a Legend
Author: Salesian Institute Youth Projects
Fr Pat (81), who stepped down as the CEO late last year, sadly died on Wednesday 23 March 2022. He was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January this year. Fr Pat served the young people of South Africa for more than 60 years.
Fr Pat will be remembered by friends and family as a selfless man who devoted his life to youth development. This is how Rev Patrick Naughton, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Salesian Institute Youth Projects (SIYP) in Green Point, friend and family, will be remembered.
Serving in different positions within the Salesian Community, he headed up the Salesian Institute Youth Projects as CEO from 2001.Fr Pat handed over the position of CEO of SIYP to Rev Francois Dufour at the end of last year intending to retire, whilst remaining in a mentoring and advisory position, unfortunately, his intention was not realised.
Fr Pat’s funeral service took place on Wednesday 30 March at Our Lady Help of Christians in Lansdowne Cape Town, led by the presiding celebrant, His Grace Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Cape Town, where family, friends and the Salesian Community said their farewells. His passing leaves a huge void at the Salesian Institute and Salesian Institute Youth Projects, and the Salesian Community, but his legacy will live on in the work to which he so passionately and selflessly devoted his life.