Avis de décès de Rev. -John Connell - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

Rev. John Francis ConnellFITCHBURG-SHREWSBURY - Rev. John Francis Connell, 83, a Worcester Diocese Priest for the past 53 years, died Saturday, Feb. 21, in the Highlands Long Term Care Center, after an illness.He leaves three sisters, Mary Hardy of Fitchburg, and Ann C. McInerney and Kathleen Mullaney, both of Leominster; many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Madeline Osgood of Amherst, NH in 1998 and Eileen Dedeian of Fitchburg in 2014.He was born on June 23, 1931, the son of the late John and Catherine T. (Fenton) Connell.Father Connell began his long priestly career on June 16, 1962, being ordained by Bishop Bernard Flanagan. His first assignment in 1962 was at Our Lady of the Rosary in Spencer, later becoming Associate Pastor of that Parish in 1963 until 1970 when he became Associate Pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary in Clinton. From 1970 to 1971 he served as Associate Pastor of Our Lady of the Lake in Leominster. In 1971 he became Chaplain at Grafton State Hospital. In 1973 and 1974 he served as Associate Pastor of St. Camillus in Fitchburg and in 1974 he was temporarily assigned to St. Mary's in Southbridge. From 1974 to 1980 he was the Chaplain of Memorial and Doctors Hospital in Worcester. In 1980 he became the Pastor of St. Joseph's in Leicester until 1982 and from 1982 to 1991 he was the Pastor of Holy Cross in Templeton. In 1991 he was the Pastor of St. Peter's in Northbridge, retiring in 2006 at the age of 75.He was a 1949 graduate of St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School, received a Degree in Accounting from Bentley College and later graduated from St. Bernard's Seminary in Rochester, NY. He was a member of the former St. Bernard's Parish growing up and was a longtime volunteer at Burbank Hospital. He also served in the Mass Air National Guard.The Reception of Father John's body into St. Bernard's Parish at St. Camillus de lellis Church, 333 Mechanic St., Fitchburg, will take place on Wednesday, Feb.25, where he will lie in state during calling hours from 4 to 7 p.m., with a Vigil Service to be conducted at 7 p.m.A concelebrated Funeral Mass will take place in St. Bernard's Parish at St. Camillus de lellis Church, 333 Mechanic St., Fitchburg, on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m. with the Most Rev. Robert J. McManus as Principal Celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Bernard's Cemetery, along side his beloved parents.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Clergy Benefit Plan, 194 Oxford St., Auburn, MA 01501 or to the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 99 Church St., Leominster, MA 01453The Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli and Fitchburg Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Home, 243 Water St., Fitchburg, has been entrusted with Fr. John's Funeral arrangements.See www.masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net for further information