In memoriam: Father John V. Ahern
Father Ahern
Rev. John V. Ahern passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2024, on the Feast of the Innocents, at the age of 90. He was a priest in the Diocese of Syracuse for 57 years.
Born in Syracuse on May 9, 1934, to John P. Ahern and Doris (McGraw) Ahern, Father came from a family of five boys and two girls. As a child, he went to Most Holy Rosary School and graduated from St. Lucy’s High School on Gifford Street.
He attended St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester and was ordained on May 20, 1967, at age 33. His first Mass was celebrated at his Alma Mater, St. Lucy’s Church. He served as a parish priest at St. Francis in Pulaski, St. Margaret’s of Mattydale, St. James of the Valley, and Holy Cross in Dewitt. Father also served as pastor of Most Holy Rosary in Syracuse and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Liverpool. He also served as chaplain of the Liverpool Fire Department as well as St. Joseph’s Hospital (during retirement). Father retired after celebrating his 50th Jubilee.
Father Ahern also honored his Irish background and served as the Divisional, New York State, and National Chaplain for the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies AOH. He was the chaplain and founding member along with his good friend Nancy Duffy for the Syracuse St. Patrick’s Parade and served as its grand marshal in 1991.
In an interview with the Sun years later, Father remembered that day as wonderful. “Going down Salina Street!” he recalled. “You had your big dinner before at the Hotel Syracuse.” He enjoyed being on the reviewing stand and waving at everybody and wishing them luck.
John is predeceased by his late parents, John P. Ahern and Doris McGraw Ahern, and his siblings, Timothy, Thomas, Patrick, Daniel and Mary Theresa.
He is survived by his sister, Doreen (John) Drury, sisters-in-law, Catherine (Tim) Ahern, Gail (Tom) Ahern, and Carol (Pat) Ahern, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
Father Ahern’s devotion to the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Mother was deeply ingrained in all that he did.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Holy Cross Church on January 3 with a private burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
