Father Charles J. Dumphy, 95

Father Charles J. Dumphy, 95, of the Southgate Community in Shrewsbury, passed away July 22 at the Christopher House. He was born on Feb. 27, 1929, in Springfield, the son of Timothy F. and Mary (O’Connor) Dumphy.

He graduated in 1947 from St. John High School in Worcester and attended the College of the Holy Cross for three years. He then prepared for the priesthood at St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, graduating in 1955.

He was ordained a priest May 19, 1955, by Bishop John J. Wright in St. Paul Cathedral. Following his ordination, he was associate pastor of St. Catherine of Sweden Parish, Worcester; St. Stephen Parish, Worcester; St. Paul Parish, Blackstone; St. Joseph Parish, Auburn, and St. Joan of Arc Parish, Worcester. In July 1968, he was appointed director of the diocesan Catholic Youth Council by Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan, a post he held until June 24, 1976. During that time, he held residence at St. Mary Parish in North Grafton, St. Aloysius Parish in Rochdale and St. Columba Parish in Paxton. For a time, he was administrator of Prince of Peace Parish, Princeton. He was named co-pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Leicester, on July 21, 1972, while remaining director of the CYC. On July 1, 1978, he was named pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Clinton.  

He was assigned pastor of St. Louis Parish, Webster, on Feb. 2, 1981. He also served as pastor of St. Ann Parish, North Oxford, from May 1984, until Oct. 6, 1989, when he was appointed pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Worcester. On September 3, 2004, he was assigned as senior priest at St. George Parish, Worcester, before retirement from active ministry.

He leaves his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Dumphy of Dawsonville, Georgia; a niece, Caren McGowan; three nephews, Charles Dumphy and his wife, Debbie, Jay Dumphy and his wife, Cathy and John McGowan and several grand nieces and nephews. Three siblings, Timothy F. Dumphy, Maribeth McGowan and John J. Dumphy predeceased him.

Visting Hours will be held July 31 from 4- 7 p.m. with a vigil service at 7 p.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church, 555 Pleasant St. A Mass of Christian Burial with Bishop McManus presiding will be held Aug. 1 at 11 a.m. in the church. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Diocese of Worcester, Priests’ Retirement Fund, 49 Elm St., Worcester, 01609. Callahan Fay and Caswell Funeral Home is conducting arrangements.