Deceased: 1999-12-05
Diocese: NEW YORK
Seminary Graduation Year: 1940
RT. REV. MSGR. STEPHEN J. KELLEHER
CLASS OF 1940
KELLEHER-Stephen J., Rt. Rev. Msgr. Passed away Dec. 5, 1999 in New York City. Priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of New York. Born August 31, 1915 to Stephen and Margaret (nee Morrissey) of Charville (Cork) and Johnston (Kilkenny), respectively, Ireland. Ordained in 1940, Monsignor Kelleher received a doctorate in canon law in 1943 from The Catholic University of America and thereafter served as assistant chancellor to the Archdiocese of New York. In 1959 he was appointed assistant national secretary to the Office of the Catholic Near East Association and also assistant to the president of the Pontifical Mission for Palestine. Monsignor Kelleher was honored by King Hussein of Jordan for his service in Palestine. He was appointed Officialis of the Archdiocese of New York in 1962. Soon thereafter he received the additional appointment from Pope Paul VI and Francis Cardinal Spellman to coordinate the drafting of the new code of canon law in accordance with the decrees of the Second Vatican Council. In 1968 he became pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Scarsdale. Monsignor Kelleher also served in the parishes of Nativity of Our Blessed Lady (Bronx), St. Margaret Mary (Staten Island), and St. Agnes, Sacred Heart and Holy Trinity (Manhattan). Monsignor was predeceased by his brother, Michael, and sisters Mary (Hickey) and Margaret. He is survived by nieces Margaret Mary Kelly, Ann Zelezny and Deirdre Dellert; nephew, Michael Kelleher; grand-nephew, Stephen Hickey; grand-niece, Christine Hickey; and sister-in-law, Joan Kelleher. Reposing from 2-5 and 7-9 PM Wednesday and Thursday at Andrett Funeral Home, 353 Second Avenue (20-21 Street). Mass of the Resurrection at 10 AM Friday at St. Jerome Church, 138th Street and Alexander Avenue, Bronx, NY. Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Valhalla, New York.
