Dr. John J. Ziegler, PhD
Deceased: 2023-06-11
Diocese: SYRACUSE
Seminary Graduation Year: 1965
John J. Ziegler Ph.D.
June 11, 2023
John J. Ziegler passed away on Sunday, June 11. 2023. He was born on August 28, 1939 in Utica, NY and graduated from New Hartford High School, the valedictorian of his class. He pursued his Bachelors Degree at St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto and St. Bernard’s College in Rochester, NY.
He received his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. He was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood in St. Peter’s Basilica on December 16, 1964. After returning to the United States, he served as an associate pastor at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception from 1965 to 1970. He returned to the University of Toronto where he earned a Ph.D. In Theology. His doctoral dissertation and subsequent book, Let Them Annoint the Sick, established the authority of the Church to appoint persons other than priests to administer the Sacraments of the Anointing of the Sick. As a result, anyone who ministers to the infirmed can administer the sacramental anointing as part of their pastoral care. With his colleague and friend, the late Rev. Charles Major, he was a co-founder, and co-director of the Aquinas House at LeMoyne College.
From 1973-1981, he worked at the Chancery of the Diocese of Syracuse as director of Priests Continuing Education, Director of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate and Vicar for Research and Planning. In 1981, he was assigned as Pastor of St. Mary of the Lake Parish in Skaneateles where he spent the most enjoyable years of his priesthood serving the faith-filled people of that parish community. He resigned from active ministry in 1986 and was employed by Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. where, together with a team of talented and committed co-workers, he designed and implemented a nationally recognized energy services program for senior and low income utility customers. He retired from Niagara Mohawk in 2004.
He enjoyed a full and happy retirement spending time gardening, enjoying music, engaging in continuing education, traveling, being engaged in his parish of All Saints, socializing with dear friends and above all, cherishing his home life with his life partner, David Travers.
He is survived by his partner of 35+ years, David; his step-daughter Brookie (John) Currin; his dear sister Kathleen Northrup, his niece Dr. Nichole (Dr. Marc) Northrup-Kent; his nephew Kennith Paul (Terri) Northrup; and his grand nieces and nephews, Alexandra, Emma, Natalie, and Joseph Northrup, and his namesake, Jack Kent.
Family and friends are invited to gather for a joyful celebration of his life on Saturday, June 24th at 10:00 am at All Saints Church, 1342 Lancaster Ave., Syracuse, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to All Saints Church to support activities in service to the vulnerable members of the Syracuse community. Online Condolences at Carter Funeral Home.com
