Rev. Msgr. John F. Dwyer

Rev. Msgr. John F. Dwyer entered eternal life on January 12, 2020, he was 90. John F. Dwyer was born in The Bronx on Sept 5, 1929 to William J. and Mary A. (Joyce) Dwyer. He graduated in 1943 from St. Luke’s School in the South Bronx and from Cardinal Hayes High School in 1947, where he was a three-letter athlete. In his senior year he captained the football and basketball teams. He was awarded an academic scholarship to Fordham College and graduated in 1951. He entered St. Joseph’s Seminary and was ordained for New York in 1956 with a class of 39 men. He served eight years at Corpus Christi Church in Manhattan, before joining the US Air Force as a chaplain. He served overseas in Turkey, Okinawa, Germany, The Phillipines and England. He also served at eight stateside bases. He earned a master’s degree in Theology at Lexington Theological Seminary. He was also a graduate of the senior service school, The Air War College. After retiring from the Air Force in 1986 as a full Colonel, he was assigned to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish at Tappan, NY, serving as an assistant to Fr. Thomas Murphy for three years. He became the pastor there in June of 1990. He was a remarkable man and knew the names of most of his parishioners and dearly loved his parish. He was also Chaplain for the Tappan Vol. Fire Dept. and The American Legion Carl A. Schelin Post of Tappan. Fr. John was predeceased by his sisters Eileen Dwyer and Sr. Mary Noel Dwyer, O.P. of Blauvelt, and his brother William S. Dwyer. Visitation will be held 3-8pm, Tues, Jan. 14th at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapel, 120 Kings Hwy, Tappan; and on Wed. Jan 15th, Visitation will be held in the main Church 3-7 pm. The Tappan Vol. F.D. will hold a service at 7pm, followed by a service by members of the American Legion Post at 7:15pm; the Rosarians will have their prayer vigil at 7:30 and a funeral vigil Mass will be celebrated at 8pm. On Thursday, January 16th, 10am, the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Church. This will be followed by a walking procession to the Tappan Cemetery, where Fr. John Dwyer will be laid to rest. Fr. John left his estate to his parish, St. Joseph’s Seminary, Fordham University, Cardinal Hayes High School and the Cardinal O’Connor Retirement Home in Riverdale. Fr. John would appreciate that you remember him in your prayers and at Mass. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church are appreciated. Father also asked, “Think of me not too much with tears; but of smiles and greetings shared.”
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