ONEONTA, New York — Deacon Thomas P. O’Connell, 84, died Jan. 4, 2020, at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.
Friends are invited to greet the family from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand St. in Oneonta.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at St. Mary’s Church, 39
Walnut St. in Oneonta, with Father David Mickiewicz officiating.
He was born on December 23, 1935, in Astoria, New York, the son of Michael and Lillian (West) O’Connell.
After graduating from St. John’s University in 1960 and earning a master’s degree in 1963 from Siena College, he taught at Christian Brothers Academy (1960-1963), Wappingers Central School (1963-1970), and SUNY-Delhi (1970-1995). At Delhi he taught English and philosophy and in 1977 received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. From 1996 to 2000 he taught theology and served as the department chair at Bishop McGuinness High School in Winston-Salem. He also served on the Board of Education for the Delaware Academy Central School District.
In 1976 he was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Albany, New York. He served at St. Peter’s Church in Delhi, St. Mary’s Church in Oneonta and Cooperstown, and St. Leo the Great Church in Winston-Salem. He also preached or lectured at various other area churches.
Born and raised in “The Big Apple,” he nevertheless truly enjoyed his “Thoreau Experience” living close to nature in his beloved hills of Delaware County.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Katherine (Schuller) O’Connell; their four children, Eileen (Paul) Keating of Ithaca, Gregory (Vicky) O’Connell of Delhi, Kristen (Tom) Ford of Ithaca, and John (Michelle) O’Connell of Wallingford, Connecticut; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a brother Michael; a sister-in-law, Eileen Walker; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sister Kathleen and his brother Patrick.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Delaware County Senior Meals Program, 97 Main St. Suite 2, Delhi, N.Y. 13753.
To offer condolences to the family, please go online to www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.
Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home of Oneonta are in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald
SWANNANOA — Father Matthew James Leonard, pastor of St. Margaret Mary Church, passed away on December 28, 2019, in Black Mountain at the age of 57. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and parish community.
The Vigil for the Deceased will be held at 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 2020, at St. Margaret Mary Church, 102 Andrew Place, Swannanoa, with Bishop Peter J. Jugis as the celebrant.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Bishop Jugis at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020, at the church.
A Virginia native, Father Leonard was born on July 23, 1962, to the late Cdr. Warren Leonard and Johnnie (Cummins) Leonard. He was a Tri-State Golden Gloves boxing champion during his high school years. He joined the U.S. Navy at 17, and it was there while serving his country that he heard his true calling to follow the Lord. He read and studied the Bible during his years in the Navy and credited his late father for teaching him faith through example.
After graduating in 1994 from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, he entered St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 6, 1998, by Bishop William G. Curlin.
During more than 20 years of priestly ministry, Father Leonard served at four parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte, including St. Francis of Assisi Church in Lenoir. He had served as pastor of St. Margaret Mary Church since 2009.
His priestly ministry centered on serving the Lord and his parishioners. On the 10th anniversary of his priesthood, he told the Catholic diocese's newspaper, "The greatest gift is to be able to know Christ better by serving people."
With honesty, warmth and a heart as big as he was, he shared the hardships and difficulties from his youth in his homilies and interactions with his parishioners – preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to encourage anyone who may be struggling in life. God is always present in our lives, he often said. "We all need to discern the activity of God in history, in my life, in your life. We all belong to something greater than what's here."
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Patrick and Christopher. He is survived by his five siblings, Cynthia Ticknor, Cathleen Schmidt, Therese Merranko, Michael Leonard and Mary Roy; and many nieces and nephews.
His family wishes to extend sincere thanks to his parish family at St. Margaret Mary Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to St. Margaret Mary Church, 102 Andrew Pl., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778.
Harwood Home for Funerals of Black Mountain was in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald