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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

Rev. Monsignor Joseph P. Dooley

The Rev. Monsignor Joseph P. Dooley, 91, pastor emeritus of St. Rocco Church, Martins Creek, died Dec. 26, 2017, in Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem.

Born in Sharon Hill, he was the son of the late Daniel and Barbara (Boyle) Dooley.

He attended Holy Spirit Elementary School, Sharon Hill, Sharon Hill Public School, and St. James Catholic High School, Chester.

He later attended Saint Philip Neri School for Delayed Vocations, Mass., followed by St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Before joining the priesthood, he was a proud member of the U.S. Army, serving as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II from 1944-46.

Later, serving a second enlistment in the U.S. Navy, he entered the seminary on the day of his discharge.

He enjoyed people referring to him as Monsignor “Sergeant” Dooley.

Ordained to the priesthood May 10, 1956, by the Most Rev. John F. O’Hara, C.S.C., Archbishop of Philadelphia, at Immaculate Conception Church, Germantown, his first priestly assignment was parochial vicar at the former St. Canicus Church, Mahanoy City, followed by parochial vicar, Ss. Simon and Jude Church, Bethlehem, and parochial vicar, St. John the Baptist de la Salle Church, Shillington.

His first pastoral assignment was at the former St. Patrick Church, McAdoo.

He was then named pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, Jim Thorpe, where he established and built St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church at Lake Harmony.

He was then pastor of St. Catharine of Siena Church, Mount Penn, and later pastor of St. Rocco’s Catholic Church.

Retiring on June 17, 2003, he was named pastor emeritus of St. Rocco’s with residence at St. Joseph the Worker Rectory, Orefield.

He was named prelate of honor by His Holiness, Pope Paul VI, on March 14, 1977.

During the course of his priestly ministry, he served as chaplain for the Newman Club at Moravian College, Bethlehem; Regional Vocation Director in Berks County; regional director of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Carbon County; Diocesan Director of St. Vincent de Paul Society; member of the Diocesan Board of Education; Regional Director of the Advisory Board for the Social Action Bureau, regional director of the Family Life Bureau, regional director of Holy Name Societies, and regional director of Vocations Apostolate, all of Carbon County; member of Pius X High School Budget Board; advisory board member of Pius X High School, and president of the advisory board of Pius X High School.

He was very proud to hold a commercial airline pilot’s license and was a member of the National Association of Priest Pilots.

His survivors include Katie M. Edwards, his pastoral assistant and caregiver; niece Cheryl Dooley Brady, wife of Bernie Brady, and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by brothers, the Rev. Daniel M., Dr. Michael and Daniel “Bubber” Dooley; and sisters, Barbara Hosey and Nancy McLaverty.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rocco’s Catholic Church, 6658 School St., Martins Creek, PA 18063, Bethlehem Catholic High School, 2133 Madison Ave., Bethlehem, PA 18017, or to Holy Family Manor, 1200 Spring St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Condolences may be offered at palmerifuneralhome.com.

Arrangements were made by James J. Palmeri Funeral Home, Martins Creek, and Heintzelman Funeral Home, Schnecksville.

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