Rev. James F. Leary

Rev. James Francis Leary, died Tuesday, September 21, 2021 in Farmington. A proud native of Waterbury, he was born to the late James and Myrtle Leary, he attended SS. Peter and Paul Grammar School and Sacred Heart High School within the city. Upon deciding to study for the priesthood, he went to St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield during his collegiate years and then attended St. John Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts, for theological studies. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Hartford at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford by the Most Reverend Joseph F. Donnelly on May 23, 1968. Fr. Leary’s first assignment was as an assistant at St. Lawrence O’Toole Church in Hartford. He then returned to St. Thomas Seminary, serving there for several years as an instructor. In 1981, he returned to fulltime parish ministry, serving at St. Timothy Church in West Hartford. In addition to parish ministry, Fr. Leary was a chaplain at St. Francis and Hartford Hospitals, a member of the Presbyteral Council, and Dean of multiple Deaneries in the Archdiocese. As a pastor, he led the people of St. Joseph Church in Bristol (1986-2004) and then St. Peter Claver Church in West Hartford, where he would remain until his retirement in 2015. Fr. Leary was a scholar of scripture and authored two books on the Old and New Testament, as well as working as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Joseph. Fr. Leary was a true disciple. He heard God’s call and responded. His motto always was: For God and For God’s People. Father Leary is survived by his cousins, Cassandra Nikituk (Stephen), Dr Kevin J. Croce (Dr. Kathryn Gorski-Croce) and their children godchild Owen and Cameron Croce. The family wishes to thank the friends of Fr. Leary, the staff of Arden Courts for their care, and Fr. James Manship. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation to a charity of your choice. The wake for Father Leary will take place from 9:00 to 10:45 AM on Thursday, September 30th in the Chapel of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, 467 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in the Chapel at 11:00 AM with His Excellency, the Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair, Archbishop of Hartford, as the main celebrant. He will be laid to rest immediately following the Mass in Old St. Joseph Cemetery, in his beloved Waterbury. Molloy Funeral Home has care of arrangements.