REV. JOHN MEALEY DIES AT 63

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard will celebrate a Funeral Mass August 29 at St. Teresa of Avila Church, Albany, for Rev. John Mealey, who died August 25. He was 63.

A native of Albany who was ordained in 1960, Father Mealey served as an assistant pastor at St. Patrick's, Ravena; St. Ambrose, Latham; and St. Catherine of Siena, Albany.

As an educator, he taught at Cardinal McCloskey and Mercy high schools, was chaplain at Marylrose Academy, and served as principal of Vincentian Institute, all in Albany.

In 1975, he was appointed pastor of St. Henry's parish, Averill Park, where he served until being named pastor at St. Teresa's in 1988.

Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.

When a reporter from The Evangelist recently toured St. Teresa of Avila parish in Albany, Rev. John Mealey, its pastor, graciously escorted her around the grounds and through the buildings.

As they entered one of the school classrooms, the children rose from their seats in unison and said: "Good morning, Father Mealey."

It was a gesture the reporter hadn't seen since her own schooldays, one that testified to something deep between the pupils and their pastor. It is also a vignette that says a lot about the priest who died suddenly earlier this week. It tells about his hands-on approach to leading a parish; it captures the affection shared between generations of children and him; it takes place in a very familiar location for him -- a school.

Speaking about Father Mealey shortly after his death, one priest wept and summed him up with six well-chosen words: "A jovial priest full of life."

His joviality was familiar to anyone within range of his bright smile and big voice. "Jack" to his family and "Jake" to his fellow priests (a nickname he carried out of the seminary), Father Mealey was rarely without the sort of optimistic grin that both signifies Christian hope and joy, and says: "Everything is going to be all right."

Asked to describe Father Mealey, one priest used terms like "loyal friend" and "mentor to seminarians and priests." His affection for and dedication to education was noted by many, and all recalled his devotion to his religious vocation.

"He was responsible for many vocations to the priesthood," said a priest. "He loved the priesthood and was good to his fellow priests. He was a wonderful pastor and priest. He loved being with people, being a priest and being with children."

Adept in one-on-one situations that would lead a lost sheep back into the fold, Father Mealey was also what one priest termed "a team player. He worked well in the parish cluster and served on diocesan committees." He was equally adroit at hearing one person's confession in private and untangling a dozen people's conflicting ideas in a public meeting.

The story is told in his family that when Jack was just four, he visited his father's office to see what daddy did for a living. His father's secretary asked him the natural question: "What are you going to be when you grow up?" The boy's response was firm: "I am going to be a priest."

And what a priest he was!

We pray and hope that when he arrived at the Gates of Heaven this week, a choir of angels stood up as one and sang, "Good morning, Father Mealey."

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