Rev. Msgr. James J. Markham
Deceased: 2014-07-15
Diocese: MANCHESTER
Seminary Graduation Year: 1952
The Reverend Monsignor James J. Markham, 91, of Manchester, NH, died July 15, 2014. Monsignor Markham was born in Lowell, MA on September 19, 1922, he was the son of George and Madeline (O’Donnell) Markham. During World War II, he served with the United States Army Air Corps. He was elected to the Lowell School Committee, Lowell, MA, where he served for several years. Msgr. Markham was ordained a priest on December 6, 1951, by the Most Reverend Thomas F. Markham, D.D., in Rome, Italy. Monsignor Markham studied at Holy Cross College, Worcester, MA, Harvard Law School, Boston, MA, Ottawa University, Montreal, PQ, Canada, the North American College, Rome, Italy, and Gregorian University, Scranton, PA. Later, he completed his ecclesiastical studies at Catholic University, Washington, DC. Monsignor Markham pursued post-graduate studies in Canon Law at Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, where he earn a baccalaureate in Canon Law in 1955, licentiate in 1956, and doctorate in 1957.Msgr. Markham served as associate pastor of the following parishes: Saint Anne Parish, Manchester, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Manchester, Holy Trinity Parish, Somersworth, Saint Cecilia Parish, Wolfeboro, Saint Peter Parish, Concord, Saint Lawrence Parish, Goffstown, and Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Manchester. He served as chaplain at Camp Carpenter and with the Boy Scouts of America. He was named vice-officialis of the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal and assistant chancellor, with residence at Saint Joseph Cathedral. Msgr. Markham served as temporary administrator of Saint Jude Parish, Londonderry, with residence at Saint Francis of Assisi, Manchester. He was appointed vice-chancellor of the military ordinariate as well as Catholic Relief Services in New York City. He was named chaplain at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Newington, CT. He retired from active ministry in 1989 and assumed residence at Holy Angels Parish, Plaistow. In recent years, he was a resident at the Parish of the Transfiguration, Manchester.Msgr. Markham was a recipient of the Papal Chamberlain in October of 1955. He was notary of the Diocesan Matrimonial Tribunal for a number of years; chaplain to St. Luke’s Guild and auxiliary chaplain at Grenier Air Force Base, Manchester. He was a member of the National Association of Flying Priests and served as secretary of the National Canon Law Society.Family members include a sister-in-law, Jacqueline Markham of Ridgewood, NJ, and several nephews..
SERVICES: Monsignor Markham will lie in state on Monday from 10 to 10:45AM at Saint Joseph Cathedral, Pine Street, Manchester, NH.The Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, Bishop of Manchester, will preside at a mass of Christian burial to be celebrated Monday at 11AM in Saint Joseph Cathedral, Manchester, NH.The Rite of Committal will follow in Saint Patrick Cemetery, Lowell, MA.The Connor-Healy Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 537 Union Street, Manchester, New Hampshire, is in charge of the arrangements.
