Michael Clancy and his wife Carol, who had just retired and headed to Europe for a holiday, were among the passengers on the doomed plane.

Mr Clancy was a teacher who was remembered fondly by former school staff when he was there in 1986. The staff called the school to tell of their sadness.

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," he told the parish.

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

"It is sad, very sad," she said. "This has a huge ripple effect on the community, devastating."

A candle light vigil was held for the Clancy family in Wollongong on Monday night.

Mrs Vaughan says the community in the district has suffered two shocks from the MH 17 disaster.

"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," Mrs Vaughan said. "Her death hit us very hard."

The nun was attending a conference in Britain, a theology course in Ireland and a spiritual retreat in France.