Father Stephen M. Boyle, a proud South Boston native born March 21, 1965, and the son of the late Vincent and Dorothy (Darling) Boyle; and brother of John and Patricia, both of Weymouth; Paul, Norwell; and Brian, Reading, died on Jan. 17, 2022.
Read moreGoogle the name "Father Patrick F. Healy" and the first entry will probably be about another Father Patrick F. Healy, he of the Society of Jesus, who had two brothers who were priests of our archdiocese: Father James A. Healy, later the second bishop of Portland; and Father Alexander Sherwood Healy, who was pastor of St. James the Greater and rector of the old Cathedral of the Holy Cross and died at 39 in 1875, just after the completion of the present cathedral and is buried in St. Augustine Chapel Cemetery, South Boston. Those three Healy brothers were the first black Americans ordained to the priesthood, all three alumni of the College of the Holy Cross. Keep searching and you'll come to this Father Patrick F. Healy, OMI, probably an article about his 100th birthday June 1, 2021.
Read moreFather Amelio James Bertelli died at Regina Cleri Residence, Boston, on Jan. 5. Known by priests and parishioners as Jim, his adopted first name was in no way a slight to his Italian ancestry of which he was quite proud.
Read moreFather Vincent E. Daily always seemed happy wherever he was assigned and whatever he was doing. Many called him "Senior" to distinguish him from his nephew and namesake, Father Vincent E. Daily "Junior," who was the homilist at his uncle's funeral Mass on Dec. 22, 2021.
Read moreIt might seem odd for a lad from Milton who was ordained a priest in Rome on Dec. 16, 1964, that he would spend 50 years of active priestly ministry in two "inner city" Boston parishes, but that would be Father Walter J. Waldron.
Read moreHe prided himself on his New York roots and could, he told his parishioners in Waltham, never become a fan of any Boston area teams. Apparently, he kept his word. On Dec. 11, 2021, after 22 years as pastor of Sacred Heart (Italian) Parish in Waltham, Father Wheatley returned to the house of the Father. He had been battling both cancer and COVID-19 and, in spite of some rallying points, he succumbed to both.
Read moreFather Edward T. Serena, one of the many alumni of Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston to serve in the Archdiocese of Boston, died in Plymouth on Dec. 5, 2021. A native of Derry, Pennsylvania, he was born on Nov. 20, 1936, one of the eight children of the late Lawrence and Gertrude (Berkmeyer) Serena.
Read moreA good number of times when an obituary for a Jesuit is published it is brief, even if his life was long. This is, in part, explained by the reality that so many sons of Ignatius are assigned to educational institutions and their tenure almost guarantees only one or two assignments as teacher or administrator or both. There are exceptions, and the late Father Robert G. McMillan was certainly one of those.
Read more"He was the best of the best," Father Robert M. Blaney, current secretary for ministerial personnel said of his first pastor and close friend, Msgr. John P. McDonough. The former chief of United States Air Force Chaplains and retired pastor of St. Agnes, Middleton, and of St. John the Baptist, Peabody, died on Nov. 17 at Regina Cleri Residence in Boston.
Read moreA priest with roots in Boston and who spent almost his entire priestly life at Boston College died at Campion Healthcare Center in Weston on Nov. 20. Born in Boston's Neponset section on March 24, 1931, he was raised in St. Ann Parish, attended Boston College High School and entered the Society of Jesus in 1948. Following his preparation first at Shadowbrook in Lenox, and then at Weston College, Weston, he was ordained to the priesthood on June 17, 1961.
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Father John Gallagher, whose active priestly ministry spanned almost 40 years, died on Nov. 9 at Regina Cleri Residence Boston. He had actually entered Boston's home for senior priests on that same date in 2016.
Read moreA Norwood native born Dec. 30, 1937, he was a son of the late Garrett and Marie (Gerety) Barry. Father Barry was raised in his beloved Norwood, attending the huge parish elementary school at St. Catherine of Siena and then continuing his education under the watchful eyes of the Sisters of St. Joseph, as he commuted to Boston's South End for secondary school at Cathedral High School.
Read moreFather Aubert (James) Picardi, OFM (Jan. 20) in Boston. Funeral Mass celebrated Jan. 24 at Saint Leonard of Port Maurice Church, Boston, for the son of the late Amorino and Eva (Parziale). During almost 60 years of priestly ministry in the Franciscan Friars (Immaculate Conception Province), Father Picardi served in assignments in El Salvador; Guatemala; Honduras; Buzzards Bay; and, locally, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, East Boston; and Saint Leonard of Port Maurice and Saint Christopher Friary, both in North End. Father Picardi was buried in Saint Francis Cemetery, Andover.
Father Robert J. Sullivan (Oct. 16, 2021) in Worcester. Memorial Mass celebrated in the spring for the son of the late Joseph and Grace (Gilkinson) Sullivan and brother of John, New York, N.Y.; and Joan Williamson, Seattle, Wash. From his ordination on May 21, 1978, he served in parish assignments as an associate or parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception, Malden (1978-1982); Saint Joseph, Belmont (1982-1990); Saint Catherine of Siena, Norwood (1990-1996); Saint Theresa of Avila, West Roxbury (1996-1997); and as pastor, Saint Thecla, Pembroke (1997-2008); and as a senior priest until his death.
Brother James. H. Lucas, OMI (Jan. 16) in Tewksbury. Funeral Mass celebrated Jan. 24 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, Tewksbury, for the son of the late Edward and Catherine (McLaughlin) Lucas; and brother of Catherine Lowney, Medford. During 70 years of religious life, Brother James served in assignments of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Washington, D.C.; Fla.; Mich.; N.Y.; and, locally, at Oblate Novitiate, Ipswich; Provincial House, Boston; Immaculate Conception, Lowell; and Oblate Residence, Tewksbury. Brother James was buried in the Oblate Cemetery, Tewksbury.
Sister Eileen (Helen Saint John) Finnigan, SNDdeN (Jan. 16) in Ipswich. Funeral Mass celebrated Jan. 21 at Our Lady Queen Chapel, Ipswich, for the daughter of the late John and Helen (Doolin). During 59 years of religious life, Sister Eileen served in congregational assignments in Worcester; and, locally, at Saint Gregory, Dorchester; Saint Clare High School, Roslindale; Notre Dame Education Center, South Boston. Sister Eileen was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester.
Sister Barbara (Michelle) Reney, CSJ (Jan. 20) in Framingham. Funeral Mass celebrated Jan. 25 at Holy Family Chapel, Brighton, for the daughter of the late Michael and Catherine (Kelly) Reney. During 72 years of religious life, Sister Barbara served in congregational assignments at Saint James, Haverhill; Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton; Fontbonne Academy, Milton; Ursuline Academy, Dedham; Saint Joseph Retreat Center, Cohasset; Saint Patrick, Stoneham; and Area Councilor of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston. Sister Barbara was buried in Saint Patrick Cemetery, Natick.
Regina (Glineckis) Alexander (Jan. 16) in Brockton. Funeral Mass celebrated Jan. 29 at Saint Peter (Lithuanian) Church, South Boston, for the mother of Juliana Vanick, John, Gerard, and Richard, all of Brockton. She was the sister of the late Sister Eugenia Glineckis, CJC. Mrs. Alexander was buried in New Calvary Cemetery, Mattapan.
Thomas F. Deeley (Jan. 23) in Boston. Funeral Mass celebrated Jan. 29 at Saint Mary Church, Charlestown, for the husband of Stephanie (O'Leary) Deeley, Charlestown; and father of Elizabeth, Portland, Maine; and Thomas, Bellingham; and brother of Most Rev. Robert P. Deeley, Portland, Maine; Father Kevin J. Deeley, Saint Michael, North Andover; Paul, Needham; and John, Hingham. Mr. Deeley was buried in the National Cemetery, Bourne.
Father Paul A. Phinn (Jan. 14) in Falmouth. Funeral Mass celebrated Jan. 19 at Saint John Chrysostom, West Roxbury, for the son of the late Henry and Florence (Kelley) Phinn; and brother of the late Father Gilbert S. Phinn. Since his ordination on Feb. 2, 1957, he served in parish assignments as an assistant or associate at Saint Albert the Great, Weymouth (1957-1963); Saint John the Evangelist, Winthrop (1963-1978); Saint Mary of the Hills, Milton (1978-1985); and as pastor, Saint John Chrysostom, West Roxbury (1985-2005); and as a senior priest until his death. Father Phinn was buried in Saint Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury.
Sister Shawn Marie (Kathleen) McDermott, SP (Jan. 1) in Reading. Funeral Mass celebrated Jan. 18 at Immaculate Conception Church, Saint Mary of the Woods, Ind., for the daughter of the late Patrick and Agnes (Roche) McDermott and sister of Martin, Reading. During 62 years of religious life, Sister Shawn Marie served in congregational assignments in Ind.; N.H.; N. Car.; and, locally, at Saint Patrick, Stoneham; Saint John the Baptist, Peabody; Saint Raphael, Medford; and Saint Agnes, Arlington. Sister Shawn Marie was buried in Sisters of Providence Cemetery, Saint Mary of the Woods, Ind.
Sister Julia Frances (Joseph Maureen) Ryan, SC (Jan. 13) in Newton. Funeral Mass celebrated Jan. 20 at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Newton, for the daughter of the late William and Catherine (Brodbine) Ryan. During 70 years of religious life, Sister Julia Frances served in congregational assignments in N.H.; N.Y.; Wash.; and, locally, at Saint Francis of Assisi, Medford; Saint Michael, North Andover; Saint Theresa of Lisieux, Methuen; Saint Brigid, Lexington; and Our Lady Help of Christians, Newton. Sister Julia Frances was buried in Saint Mary Cemetery, Needham.
Michael J. Bishop (Jan. 13) in Gardner. Funeral Mass celebrated Jan. 20 at Holy Rosary Church, Gardner, for the husband of Shannon (Daly) Bishop; and father of Megan, Robert, Shannon Pearce, and John, all of N.H.; Sean, Gardner; Dejia Rodriguez, Johnny Rivera, and Kailey, all of Mass.; and brother of Father Marc J. Bishop, Saint Agnes and Saint Camillus, Arlington; and Ginette Giblin, Billerica. Mr. Bishop was buried in the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon.
Dennis B. Halloran (Jan. 11) in Hanover. Funeral Mass celebrated Jan. 15 at Saint Mary of the Sacred Heart Church, Hanover, for the husband of Geraldine (Manning) Halloran; and father of Brenda Carven, Molly Sacco, Maureen Morwood, all of Hanover; and Katherine, Big Sky, Mont.; and brother of Robert, Norwell; and Mary Macedo, Wrentham; and the late Sister Anne Halloran, OCD. Committal services were private.
Martin E. McDonough (Dec. 27) in West Roxbury. Memorial Mass to be celebrated at a later date for the brother of Sister Therese McDonough, MMM, Somerville; and Mary Ann McDonough, West Roxbury. Committal services were private.
Father John W. Padberg, SJ (Dec. 25, 2021) in Saint Louis, Mo. Funeral Mass celebrated Jan. 13 at Saint Francis Xavier Church, Saint Louis, Mo., for the son of the late Francis and Emily (Albrecht) Padberg, and brother of Carol, Saint Louis, Mo.; and the late Sister Mary Frances, SSND; and Marie Xavier, SSND. During 64 years of priestly ministry, Father Padberg served in assignments of the Jesuit Central and South Province in Washington, D.C.; Mo.; and, locally, at Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge. Father Padberg was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Saint Louis, Mo.
Charles F. Brackett (Dec. 20, 2021) in Clinton. Funeral Mass celebrated Dec. 30 at Saint John the Evangelist, Clinton, for the father of Father Christopher Brackett, LC, Rome, Italy; Brother Peter Brackett, MICM, and Brother Anthony Brackett, MICM, both of Still River; Cynthia Mahoney, Crestview, Fla.; Kristen Brideau, Fitchburg; Gregory, Harvard; Daniel, Lunenburg; Maria, Herndon, Va.; Martha Frushell, Gardner; Matthew and Grace Gallegos, both of Sterling; Miriam Santos, Wake Forest, N. Car.; Joseph, Leominster; and Elise Gedansky, Boston. Mr. Brackett was also the uncle of Sister Margaret Mary Baravella, MICM, Still River, former staff member of The Pilot and Boston Catholic Directory. Mr. Brackett was buried in Bellevue Cemetery, Harvard.
Marie (Watkins) Conlon (Dec.1, 2021) in Methuen. Private funeral Services celebrated for the mother of Sister Nancy Conlon, SC, North Andover; Michael, Derry, N.H.; Thomas, Brentwood, N.H.; Robert, Donnellson, Iowa; Judith Seymour, Englewood, Fla.; Eileen Martin, Methuen; and Martin, Kingston, N.H. Mrs. Conlon was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, North Andover.
John K. Connolly (Jan. 7) in Woburn. Funeral Mass celebrated Jan. 13 at Saint Dorothy of Cappadocia Church, Wilmington, for husband of Kathleen (Antonucci) Connolly; and father of Donna DiGiovanni, Michael, and Diane Antipas, all of Wilmington; and brother of Marie and Robert Connolly, both of Woburn, and the late Father Edward M. Connolly. Committal services were private.
John H. Duffy (Jan. 3) in Andover. Funeral Mass celebrated Jan. 8 at Saint Augustine, Andover, for the husband of Mary (Smith) Duffy; and father of Theresa Petrie, John, Kristen Pelletier, and Andrea Flinn, all of Andover; and brother of Sister Joan Duffy, CSJ, Brighton; and Clare Anderson. Mr. Duffy was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery, Andover.
Father William J. Elliott, SJ (Dec. 17) in Weston. Funeral Mass celebrated Dec. 22 at Holy Spirit Chapel, Weston, for the son of the late William and Mary (Buckley) Elliott and brother of John Elliott. During 60 years of priestly ministry in the Society of Jesus, Father Elliott served in various assignments of the Jesuit East USA Province. Father Elliott was buried in the Jesuit Cemetery, Weston.
Brother Gerald R. Meegan, SDB (Dec. 19) in Tampa, Fla. Funeral Mass celebrated Dec. 29 at Marian Shrine Chapel, Haverstraw, N.Y., for the son of the late John and Catherine (Kesar) Meegan. During 61 years of religious life, Brother Gerald served in congregational assignments in Fla.; N.J.; N.Y.; and, locally, at Don Bosco Technical School, Boston. Brother Gerald was buried in the Salesian Cemetery, Goshen, N.Y.
Brother Thomas Petitte, FMS (Dec. 17) in Lawrence. Funeral Mass celebrated Dec. 22 at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, Salem, for the brother of Elizabeth, Mary Ann, and Philip, all of Camden, N.J. During 58 years of religious life, Brother Thomas served in congregational assignments in India; Ind.; N.Y.; and, locally, at Marist Novitiate, Tyngsborough; Matignon, Cambridge; Malden Catholic, Malden; Central Catholic and Lazarus House Ministries, both in Lawrence; and Saint Thomas the Apostle, Salem. Brother Thomas was buried in Marist Brothers Cemetery, Esopus, N.Y.
Sister Barbara (Henrietta Jane) Dole, SNDdeN (Dec. 21 in Worcester. Funeral Mass celebrated Dec. 29 at Notre Dame du Lac Chapel, Worcester, for the daughter of the late Brenton and Henrietta (Gazaway) Dole. During 60 years of religious life, Sister Barbara served in various congregational assignments; and, locally, at Saint Ambrose, Dorchester; and Saint Francis de Sales, Roxbury. Sister Barbara was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
Sister Myra Rodgers, CDP (Dec. 25) in Kingston. Private Funeral Mass celebrated at Sacred Heart Chapel, Kingston, for the daughter of the late Jack and Florence (Klemmer) Rodgers; and sister of Janet, Pittsburgh, Penn. During 68 years of religious life, Sister Myra served in congregational assignments in Canada; Italy; Penn.; R.I.; and, locally, at Sacred Heart School, Kingston. Sister Myra was buried in Our Lady of Divine Providence Cemetery, Kingston.
Sister Mary (Joseph Marie) Scanlon, CSJ (Dec. 20) in Framingham. Funeral Mass celebrated Dec. 28 at Holy Family Chapel, Brighton, for the daughter of the late Patrick and Mary (Donahue) Scanlon; and sister of James; Sally Buttinger; and the late Sister Barbara (Patricia Mary) Scanlon, CSJ. During 72 years of religious life, Sister Mary served in congregational assignments in Saint Joseph, Lynn; Saint Catherine of Siena, Charlestown; Immaculate Conception, Weymouth; Saint John the Evangelist, Canton; Saint James, Haverhill; and Arlington Catholic, Arlington. Sister Mary was buried in Saint Patrick Cemetery, Natick.
James T. Bartley (Dec. 21) in Rye, N.H. Funeral Mass celebrated Dec. 29 at Saint Joseph Church, Amesbury, for the husband of Elizabeth, Rye, N.H.; and father of Abigail, Salem; Trevor and Brendan, both of Kingston, N.H.; Meghan Welsh, Epping, N.H.; and Sarah, Miami, Fla.; and brother of Mary, Amesbury; Richard Daramiscotta, Maine; Paul, Saint Helen's Island, S. Car.; Margaret Roche, Buxton, Maine; and the late Father David J. Bartley. Mr. Bartley was buried in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Salem.
Michael K. Gahan (Dec. 26) in Winthrop. Funeral Mass celebrated Dec. 31 at Saint John the Evangelist Church, Winthrop, for the husband of Elizabeth (Baker), Winthrop; and brother of Father Timothy Gahan, Charleston, S. Car.; Sheila Betasso, Maura Pfeiffer, Heidi Newell, Coleen McFaul, and Madonna Hogue, all of Winthrop. Mr. Gahan was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
Martin E. McDonough (Dec. 27) in West Roxbury. Private Memorial Mass celebrated at a later date for the brother of the late Sister Therese McDonough, MMM. Committal services for Mr. McDonough were private.
Frances E. (Connell) O'Connor (Dec. 21) in Stoughton. Funeral Mass celebrated Dec. 29 at Saint John Chrysostom, West Roxbury, for the mother of Margaret Falcone, Walpole; John, Norwood; Eileen Frangieh, Swansea; and Patrick, Boston [Ed. -- her son Patrick is a stringer for The Pilot]. Mrs. O'Connor was buried in Saint Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury.
Linda (Fisher) Tracy (Dec. 26) in Walpole. Funeral service celebrated Jan. 4 at United Church of Christ, Walpole, for the wife of David, Walpole; and mother of Scott, Berkeley, Calif.; Gregory, Winthrop; and Keith, Pembroke. Mrs. Tracy was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Walpole. [Ed. -- Mrs. Tracy was the mother of Pilot Managing Editor, Gregory Tracy.]