Obituary of Father Edward Eugene OLeary

The death of Father Edward Eugene O'Leary, a retired priest of the Diocese of Saint John, occurred at Rocmaura Nursing Home on Friday, October 17, 2003. Father O'Leary was born in Richibucto, N.B., on November 22, 1918, a son of the late George E. and Nell E. (Lanigan) O'Leary. After graduating from high school in Richibucto, he attended St. Thomas University in Chatham, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Father Eugene then studied for the priesthood at Holy Heart Seminary in Halifax and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Saint John in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on June 3, 1944 by Most Rev. P.A. Bray, C.J.M. After ordination he served as a curate at the Cathedral and at Holy Trinity Parish in Saint John. He served as Administrator of Holy Trinity for a brief period. Then he served in the Parish of St. Alphonsus, Hampton, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rothesay, followed by St. Stephen's Parish, Milltown, and again for a number of years in Holy Trinity Parish, Saint John. He was then appointed Administrator of the Mission of St. Ann's in Glen Falls in July 1956. After celebrating Mass for several years in the former St. Joachim's Hall on Rothesay Ave, the sod was turned for the new St. Ann's Church on May 30, 1961. The new church was dedicated on December 17, 1961 and as founding Pastor, Fr. O'Leary celebrated the first Midnight Mass there on December 25,1961. Fr. O'Leary continued to served St. Ann's Parish with distinction until his retirement in 1996. He was pre-deceased by his only brother, Joseph M. O'Leary, who died in Northern Ireland in 1945 while serving with the R.C.A.F. He is survived by several cousins and many friends and former parishioners. Father O'Leary body will be resting at the Cathedral Rectory, 91 Waterloo St., Saint John, with visitation on Sunday evening from 7 to 9 and on Monday afternoon from 2 to 4. On Monday evening the body will be translated to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 6:45 for Solemn Vespers at seven o'clock. After Vespers, visitation will continue in the Cathedral until nine o'clock. Father O'Leary's Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Cathedral on Tuesday morning at twelve noon. Interment will take place in the Priests' Plot in St. Joseph's Cemetery.