The parish priest of Holy Spirit Catholic church in Amaroo has died suddenly.
The Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn said that Father Troy Bobbin died "at Canberra Hospital following complications from treatment for recently diagnosed cancer".
The parish priest was born in 1962 and ordained to the priesthood in 1996.
"Father Troy faithfully served the people of the Archdiocese for 30 years in Young, Calwell, Ardlethan and Barellan, West Wyalong, Queanbeyan and Gungahlin," a statement from the archdiocese said.
"His generous priestly ministry touched countless lives and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him."
He was a religious man with the common touch. After a fire struck St Raphael's church in Queanbeyan in 2019, he remarked with some humour on how the fire had been contained to a few rooms so the church hadn't been destroyed.
'I suppose if I'm a Catholic priest I'm supposed to say that God's with me, I'm not supposed to use the word luck,'' he mused at the time.
''It's just a pain in the butt, really. It's one of those things that's an accident.''
The news of his death brought a flood of tributes on social media.
"In the years prior to his ordination Troy was an active member of St Vincent de Paul Society, in particular the 'youth team'," one tribute said.
"This news has saddened me deeply as, I am sure, it will come as a shock to many Society members. He brought a spiritual element to our youth leaders and the children we supported through various programs run by the Society. Rest in Peace Troy. You have earned eternal peace."
