Father Joseph W. McKiernan, 92

Father Joseph McKiernan, 92

    SHREWSBURY - Father Joseph W. McKiernan, 92, passed away on Friday, July 26, at the Christopher House of Worcester.
    He was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and is predeceased by his parents, Francis and Ellen (McCarthy) McKiernan.
    He was raised in Millville and attended Millville schools and Blackstone High School. He graduated from St. Mary High School, Milford, and attended the College of the Holy Cross. He studied for the priesthood in the Seminary of Philosophy and the Grand Seminary both in Montreal. He was ordained on May 19, 1951, by Bishop John J. Wright in St. Paul Cathedral, Worcester.
    Father McKiernan served at St. Patrick Parish in Rutland from 1951 to 1954, at St. George Parish in Worcester from 1954 to 1960, at St. Stephen Parish in Worcester from 1960 to 1961, at St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Westborough from 1961 to 1966, at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Clinton  from 1966 to 1969. He was pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Spencer from 1969 to 1974; pastor of Sacred Heart Church of Jesus Parish in Gardner from 1974 to 1980; pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish in Worcester from 1980 to 1989; pastor of St. Mary Parish in Uxbridge 1989 to 1994 and then retired as a senior priest at St. Mark Parish in Sutton.
    He leaves a sister, Mary Manning of Braintree; a niece Patricia Manning; six nephews, Michael, Kevin, Joseph, John, Daniel, Robert, and their families, including 19 grandnieces and grandnephews and many other relatives and friends.
    A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Bishop Robert J. McManus on Thursday, Aug. 1, at 11 a.m. in St. Mark's Church, 356 Boston Road in Sutton. Burial will follow at St. Charles Cemetery in Blackstone. There are no calling hours. Memorial contributions, in his name may be made to the Priests' Retirement Fund, 49 Elm St. Worcester, MA 01609.
    A  tribute page for Father McKiernan is set up at
www.mulhane.com.