Rev. John F. Waldron

Deceased: 2017-05-02

Diocese: ALBANY

Seminary Graduation Year: 1959

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Father John F. Waldron passed away peacefully on May 2, 2017, at the Teresian House in Albany. Born March 2,1933 in Frankfort, N.Y., he was the youngest of nine children. He was predeceased by his parents, Genevieve C.(Gilligan) and James J. Waldron, and by his eight siblings. Father was a graduate of Frankfort High School, class of 1950 and was ordained in December 1958 at the North American College in Rome, Italy.

Following his ordination, he was assigned as an assistant to Sacred Heart parish in Albany, and then furthered his studies at Fordham University. Upon his return he served as assistant at St. Patrick’s in Troy while also on the faculty at Catholic Central High School. Additional assignments over the years included St. John’s in Rensselaer and St. Joseph’s in Troy. He then became pastor at St. Patrick’s in Cohoes, St. Francis de Sales in Troy, St. Mary’s in Oneonta, St. Joan of Arc in Menands, and Our Lady of Mercy in Colonie. He retired from there in 2008 after nineteen years as pastor. After his retirement, he ministered at a number of churches in the Albany Diocese, but mostly at Christ Our Light. He loved being a parish priest; and even as a young man never considered doing anything else. His vocation brought him much peace and happiness.

Father Waldron is survived by his favorite nephew, Thomas Flynn of Delmar and 35 additional nieces and nephews who considered him their spiritual patriarch. He was proud of his Irish heritage and thoroughly enjoyed the annual family March birthday gathering and all the family reunions. One favorite thing was to call each niece and nephew and many of his grand-nieces and nephews on their birthday to wish them well.

Over the years he traveled extensively on his own to Australia/New Zealand, Russia, Machu Picchu and places in between; but his avocation was the opera. He attended performances in many venues in both the U.S. and Europe,but the most special was the Metropolitan Opera in New York City where he was a member of the Opera Guild. Prayers for Reception of the Body into the church wiIl be at 4 p.m at Christ Our Light Church,1 Maria Drive, Loudonville on Sunday, May 7, followed by calling hours until 7 p.m. and evening prayer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated the next day at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Frankfort, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. John’s/ St. Ann’s Food Pantry, 88 Fourth Ave., Albany, NY