Added 7/3/2010

Ed Hobbs High School Class of 1976

Added 7/28/2008

 July 26, 2008

Diocese of Metuchen

Notice for a Funeral Announcement to be faxed to clergy/parishes

 Rev. Emerick J. Hydo, C.M. of St. Joseph’s Seminary, Princeton, NJ passed away on Friday afternoon, July 25, 2008. His long bout with cancer and deteriorating health required palliative care at St. Catherine’s Infirmary in Philadelphia, PA. 

A native of New Jersey born in Perth Amboy in 1923, Father Hydo was ordained a priest in 1950 for the Congregation of the Mission. He served in the Diocese of Metuchen at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Plainsboro for a total of seventeen years from 1950-1953, 1987-1993 and 2000-present. His career included other educational positions at two Vincentian universities, St. John’s and Niagara, and as President and Superior of the minor seminary of St. John Vianney in Miami, FL. He also served briefly as a parish priest in St. Mary’s parish in Groveport, Oh and in Our Lady of Good Council Parish in Bangor, PA. 

At his request, all funeral services will take place at St. Joseph’s Seminary, 65 Mapleton Road, Princeton (Plainsboro). The viewing/wake services will be in St. Joseph’s Hall on Tuesday July 29^th from 3:00-5:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM and in the public chapel of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal on Wednesday July 30^th from 9:00-10:00 AM. The funeral Mass on Wednesday will begin at 10:30 AM followed immediately by a graveside service. Participants are invited to a luncheon in Slattery Hall. 

The Vincentian Community thanks the clergy of the diocese for their prayers for Fr. Em and invites their parishioners to join in services. May God grant Em eternal rest after his long struggle with cancer and courageous witness to priestly service.

Rev. Emerick J. Hydo, C.M.

Text for liturgical program Wednesday, July 30, 2008

A Life  to Celebrate 

                Father Em was born in Perth Amboy in 1923 where he attended Holy Trinity parochial school and two years in St. Mary’s High School. He completed high school and his first two years of college at St. Joseph’s Preparatory Seminary. His novitiate years were spent at St. Vincent’s Seminary in Philadelphia. After completing his college and theology courses at Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, PA, he was ordained a priest in 1950 for the Congregation of the Mission — Eastern Province USA.  

                He served in his native New Jersey within the Dioceses of Trenton/Metuchen at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Plainsboro for a total of seventeen years. He had two degrees in graduate studies from St. John’s University: an M.A. in Sociology (1953) and a Ph.D. in Political Science (1962) and six credits in Public Administration from Barry College, Miami, Florida. 

Assignments 

St. Joseph’s Seminary, Plainsboro, NJ          ...... 1950-1952

St. John’s College (SJU), Jamaica, NY           ...... 1952-1953

Niagara University, NY              ............................ 1953-1959

St. John’s University, Jamaica, NY         ............. 1959-1964

Niagara University, NY          ................................ 1964-1965

St. John Vianney Seminary, Miami, FL          ...... 1965-1971

Niagara University, NY           ............................... 1971-1980

St. Mary’s Parish, Groveport OH          ............... 1980-1982

Niagara University, NY           ............................... 1982-1987

St. Joseph’s Seminary, Plainsboro, NJ        ........ 1987-1993

O.L. of Good Counsel Parish, Bangor, PA        .. 1993-2000

St. Joseph’s Seminary, Plainsboro, NJ        ........ 2000-2008 

Through the years, Father Em held a number of positions at Niagara University: Residence Director (1953-57), Dean of Discipline (1956-59), Chairman of the Sociology Department (1958-59),  Chairman of the Honors Council (1963-64), Moderator of Athletics (1964-65 and 1971-74), Chairman of the Athletic Advisory Board (1971-74), member of the Executive Committee for Middle States Association (1974) and member of the University Senate (1974-75 and 1977-78). In Miami he was Superior and President of St. John Vianney Minor Seminary and served on the Board of Trustees of St. Vincent de Paul Major Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida. 

                At his request, we remember him in funeral services here at St. Joseph’s Seminary.  He loved this place; from here Father Em served in a variety of ministries in neighboring parishes. In recent years he had struggled with the cancer that ultimately required he move to St. Vincent’s Seminary in Philadelphia to receive hospice care at St. Catherine’s Infirmary. 

                We mourn the passing of a beloved confrere and devoted priest, and in faith rejoice that he is now in the hands of our merciful God. We thank God for all his gifts  and pray that God have mercy upon his immortal soul.

Added 11/1/2007

Ray...yesterday John O'Hara died of an apparent heart attack in Jacksonville Fla where he was ministering...I have included the email on this....he was not in St John's until junior college and was 8 years older than the rest of us but...still had a great deal of influence on us and the campus as a whole...Fr Doc Bamber (college dorm) will know him he would have been graduating class of 1968 --- one year ahead of our class in 1969 and did actually graduate in 1971 from the junior college (you will eliminate people who entered the sem in junior college by posting the HS graduating year...unfortunately) we all knew him well!  Jim Quinn

Dear Friends,

We have shared the same e-mails from Fr. John, aka Johnny, and beloved friend for so many years. I know that some of you will know and others will not, but John Michael O'Hara passed away yesterday from an apparent heart attack.

He had such a web of friendships from coast to coast (and beyond), and so many kept in touch via e-mail. I took it on myself to send this out to let you know. I understand that the funeral mass will be this Saturday at 11:00 AM at Holy Family Church in Jacksonville. Visitation will be prior to the mass beginning at 10:00.

If there is anything at all that my family and I can do for those coming in town or wishing to have information about lodging in the area, please do not hesitate to call me on my cell at (phone number omitted, contact webmaster).

Not only have we lost a dear friend, but the church, such as it has, has lost great depth and substance, a true voice crying in the wilderness.

If there is a member of John's family that receives this, please get in touch with me, and I can share some great stories for you to take into your hearts.

Blessings, peace, and even joy,

Greg Frazier
Jacksonville, Florida

Father John Michael O'Hara
O'HARA Father John Michael O'Hara, parochial vicar of Holy Family Catholic Church in Jacksonville, died suddenly, Tuesday, Oct. 30. He was 64. The son of the late Edward O'Hara and Isabel McGowan, Father O'Hara was born on Oct. 29, 1943 in Norristown, Pa. He was one of five children. He graduated from Bishop Kendrick High School in Norristown, Pa. in 1961 and later attended St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami for two years and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Fla. where he completed his seminary studies. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Miami on May 15, 1976 by the late Colman F. Carroll, archbishop of Miami. Father O'Hara served in the United States Army and more recently as a chaplain for the United States Air Force. His family said he knew early in life he wanted to become a Catholic priest and he followed his dream. His siblings recall Father John pretending to be a priest as a child, often celebrating his own Mass at home. His family is ever proud of Father John and all that he has accomplished. Father John served in many parishes, including: Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Ft. Pierce, Fla. (1976-1978), St. Brendan, Miami (1978-1980), Chaplain for the U.S. Air Force (1980-1986), St. Timothy, Miami (1986-1988), St. Mark, Ft. Lauderdale (1988-1990) and St. Bridget, Minneapolis, Minn. (2000-2001). Father John has served at Holy Family Catholic Church in Jacksonville since March 2001. While the family is shocked and saddened by Father John's sudden death, “we take solace in the knowledge that Father John is where he has always aspired to be - with God, our Father. Father John will live forever in our hearts,” reflects his family. Father John's true family extended well beyond that of his genetic relations in that he welcomed all to the church and into the Catholic family. He is survived by his mother Isabel of Jupiter, Fla., his sisters Mary Jane Walters of West Chester, Pa., Kathleen O'Hara of Springfield, Va., his brothers Edward of Palm Beach, Fla., Dennis of Collegeville, Pa., many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. A viewing has been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 3 from 10-11 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9800 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville. A reception will follow immediately after Mass in the church hall with a graveside ceremony scheduled for 2 p.m. at San Lorenzo Catholic Cemetery in St. Augustine, Fla. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Father John's name to Holy Family Catholic School's scholarship fund, 9800-3 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Phone: (904) 645-9875. Arrangements by HARDAGE- GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME MANDARIN CHAPEL. (904)288-0025 Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com

Added 4/2/2007:

Just learned that Dennis McCarthy passed away on November 26, 2004. He was at St. Johns for only two years of junior college graduating in 1969. Dennis was a monk at St. Leo Abbey in Dade City, Fl. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks.....Paul K.

Published Friday, January 4, 2002

Rev. James Vitucci, pastor at St. Maximilian Kolbe
BY SHANNON PEASE
spease@herald.com

The Rev. James Vincent Vitucci, known to many as Father Jim, dedicated his life to serving God. He continually provided spiritual guidance to those around him, even when he knew his own death was imminent.

Vitucci, 55, died at Memorial Hospital Pembroke Wednesday after a long illness.

``He was never too tired to offer himself to someone who needed help,'' said Maryann Hotchkiss, Vitucci's caretaker and director of religious education at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Pembroke Pines. ``He was the perfect example of what a servant of God should be.''

For the past 10 years, Vitucci lived in the rectory and served as a pastor at St. Maximilian Kolbe, never allowing his failing health to keep him from his ministry. On Christmas Eve, he said the children's Mass.

Born on Feb. 18, 1946, Vitucci moved to Hollywood from Mt. Vernon, N.Y., when he was 2 years old.

He attended South Broward High School and graduated from the St. Vincent DePaul Major Seminary in Boynton Beach. In 1972, he was ordained by the Catholic Archdiocese of Miami. He spent many years as an associate pastor at various churches including Visitation Church and St. Mary Magdalen in North Miami, and St. Anthony's in Fort Lauderdale. In the late 1980s, he was appointed chaplain for the Hollywood Police Department.

In 1986, he founded and became director the Schott Center for the deaf and disabled, now named Schott Communities in Cooper City.

All services will be held at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Pembroke Pines. A wake will be held 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. today; vespers and prayer service 7:30 p.m. today; viewing 8 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday; Mass of Resurrection 11 a.m. Saturday.

He is survived by his mother, Ada Vitucci of Pembroke Pines, and a brother, Louis Vitucci of Ohio.

07/29/08