When Father Placid died in SS. John and Elizabeth's Hospital on 10th June this year at seventy-six, he was a venerable figure; loved and revered by his own community, by many generations of Amplefordians and a large circle of friends; for he had something of a genius for friendship. If ever a man had an active and acute mind, he had. The wide sweep of his interests was only equalled by the originality of his views, always forcibly, often provocatively expressed, with ingenuity and cogence.
From 1904 to 1941 officially he taught mathematics to the senior classes with conspicuous success, but by his unofficial activities he made as enduring and probably more important contributions to the lives of individuals: for he was essentially an individualist. He never addressed himself to collective humanity. To the end he was always alive to new methods and ideas. It was Father Placid who introduced the 'set system' and, along with Father Paul and Father Ambrose Byrne, he pressed forward to make Ampleforth the modern Catholic Public School it became under Father Edmund Matthews. A great lover of nature he founded the Natural History Society, started an aviary (complete with an eagle) and kept bees. A real connoisseur of poetry and literature, he was Chairman of the Literary and Debating Society for many years. A very well-read man, he founded the School Library as we know it to-day; choosing the books and cataloguing them on the most modern system. A keen photographer, he took over the Dark Room, reorganizing it with characteristic thoroughness. A sound bat, he played cricket and took a net, giving no uncertain advice. He taught carpentry with emphasis on the proper use of tools. He loved gardens, so he made gardens; the one at the back of the Monastery is a memorial to him. He was a practical man, his many interests and enthusiasms became incarnate in a form calculated to inspire others. In this way Father Placid handed on what had been given to him. He had a sacramental attitude to life.
Some may have found it difficult to get to know him for a gruff manner protected a shy and sensitive nature; he could be abrupt, too. The middle-aged (and beyond) can recall numerous amusing sagas of this foible. However, he had a delightful sense of humour and fun which passed the acid test of his ability to enjoy a joke against himself. Perhaps more than those who made it.
All the time Father Placid was increasingly in demand as a confessor in the community and School; and outside, as a spiritual guide and retreat-giver. He would take endless pains unravelling a person's spiritual problems, listening with an evident sympathy and great understanding. His advice was forthright, often unconventional, but always very much to the point and, what is more, intensely practical. In this capacity many felt his absence keenly when he had to retire from Ampleforth in 1941 through ill health.
Father Placid hardly ever talked about himself but it was the things of the spiritual world that were his most absorbing and ever-present interest. His spiritual centre of gravity was the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which he preached constantly in sermons and retreats. It is a sad thing that the book he planned to write on the Mass in his mature years never came to fruition. It would have told readers far more about the essential Father Placid than any obituary notice. Near to death he said 'I feel a great peace'. May he rest in peace. To his family we offer our sincere sympathy.
JOSEPH PLACID DOLAN 10 June 1954
1878 28 Oct Born Warrington
Educ St Francis Xavier's School
1895 Educ Ampleforth
1896 3 Sep Habit
1897 5 Oct Simple Profession Prior Raynal
1898 29 May Minor Orders Belmont Bishop Hedley
1901 14 Sep Solemn Vows Ampleforth Abbot Smith
1902 11 May Subdeacon Ampleforth Bishop Hedley
1904 9 Oct Deacon Middlesbrough Bishop Lacy
1905 3 Apr Priest Ampleforth Bishop Lacy
1900 Oct to Jul 1904 Read Mathematics at Oxford
School Staff at Ampleforth
1941 Dec Left Ampleforth invalided
1942 Semi-retired at Skin's Farm Herts
1954 3 May Entered SS John & Elizabeth
10 Jun Died