Fr Derek Woodhead RIP Obituary and Funeral Details
Monday 19th August 2024We are very sorry to share the sad news that Fr Derek Woodhead died peacefully on Sunday 18th August.
Fr Woodhead was in his seventy seventh year, the fifty second year of his Sacred Priesthood. May he rest in peace.
Derek was born on 25th October 1947 in Oswaldtwistle and baptised on 9th November 1947 at St Mary’s, Oswaldtwistle. He was educated at St Mary’s Junior School and Holy Family Secondary Modern School.
Derek was accepted as an Ecclesiastical student for the Diocese of Salford in June 1961 and studied at St Hugh’s College, Tollerton Hall. In September 1967, he transferred to St Joseph’s College, Upholland.
Father Derek Woodhead was ordained to the Priesthood at St Alban’s, Blackburn as part of their Bicentenary Celebrations, on 23rd June 1973.
Fr Woodhead served:
1973-1978: St. Mary, Blackburn as Assistant Priest
1978-1984: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Blackley as Assistant Priest
1984-1986: Our Lady of Grace, Prestwich as Assistant Priest
1986-1988: St. Margaret Mary, New Moston as Parish Priest
1988-1999: St. Mary, Ashton-under-Lyne as Parish Priest
1999-2023: St. Anne & St Michael, Oldham as Parish Priest
2018-2023: Sacred Heart and Our Lady, Oldham as Parish Priest in addition to St. Anne & St Michael.
Fr Derek retired on 1st September 2023.
Fr Woodhead’s body will be received into St Michael’s Church, Abbeyhills, Oldham for concelebrated Mass at 7.00pm on Thursday 29th August. Canon Michael Cooke VG will celebrate the Requiem Mass at St. Michael’s on Friday 30th August at 11:30am.
Please remember him in your prayers and in the celebration of Mass. May he rest in peace.
