Michael Clancy and his wife Carol had headed to Europe for a holidayafter Mr Clancy’s retirement.

Mr Clancy was a teacher who was remembered fondly by former school staff when he was there in 1986.

Wellington Catholic priest Father Tony Hennessy and his congregation paused to say prayers for the couple on Sunday morning during a service in the town.

"These tragedies when they hit home really tell the harrowing story for families but also the connection that we feel for them. I understand he was a very popular and nice man and contributed to his community’’ Father Hennessy told the parish.

A local parishioner in Yeoval Catholic Church, Judy Vaughan, said the news of his death had only just filtered through the community.

“Its sad, very sad,” she said.

“This has a huge ripple effect on the community, devastating’’

‘’We were initially shocked to hear of the death of sister Philomene Tiernan.

“Many Yeoval children went to Kincoppal school at Rose Bay and were touched by her kindness,’’ she said.

“Her death hit us very hard.”

Sister Philomene was attending a conference in Britain, a theology course in Ireland and a spiritual retreat in France.