Father Patrick J. O’Connor, priest of Diocese of Greensburg for 52 years, dies at 85

Father Patrick J. O’Connor, a retired priest of the Diocese of Greensburg, died Jan. 10, 2017, at St. Anne Home, Greensburg. He was 85 and served as a priest for 52 years.

Father O’Connor was born April 30, 1931, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, to the late Francis and Estella (McIlroy) O’Connor. He attended Catholic schools in Windsor and Detroit.

He attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit; St. John’s Provincial Seminary, Plymouth, Mich.; and the former Our Lady of Loretto Seminary, Loretto.

Father O’Connor was ordained a priest by Bishop William G. Connare May 23, 1964, at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg.

Father O’Connor served as associate pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Uniontown (1964-66); St. John the Baptist Parish, Scottdale (1966-70); and St. Sebastian Parish, Belle Vernon (1970-71).

He served as pastor of the former St. Michael Parish, Glen Campbell, and its mission, SS. Peter & Paul Parish, Arcadia (1971-73); associate pastor of St. Pius X Parish, Mount Pleasant (1973-75) and pastor of St. Ambrose Parish, Avonmore (1975-81); the former St. Leonard Parish, Monessen (1981-88); St. James the Greater Parish, Apollo (1988-92); St. Joseph Parish, New Kensington (1992-96); and St. James Parish, New Alexandria (1996-97).

He served as senior priest active with residence at St. Mary (Nativity) Parish, Uniontown (1998-99) and at St. Therese, Little Flower of Jesus Parish, Uniontown, from 1999 until his retirement Jan. 31, 2006.

Father O’Connor also served as diocesan spiritual director of the Holy Name Society (1999-2006) and served on the Board of Consultors (1969-72) and the Priests’ Council (1991-96).

A viewing will be held Thursday, Jan. 12, from 4-8 p.m. in the parlor of the Bishop Connare Center, 2900 Seminary Drive, Greensburg.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated by The Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, JCL, Bishop of Greensburg, Friday, Jan. 13, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Chapel at the Bishop Connare Center. Father John T. Euker will be the homilist.

Interment will be in the Priests’ Plot at Greensburg Catholic Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by McCabe Funeral Home,300 W Third Ave., Derry.

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