James Leo Fahey

Reverend James Leo Fahey, 83, of Boston, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at Marion Manor in South Boston.

Originally from Dorchester, he was the son of the late Leo and Selma (Condon) Fahey, and nephew of the late State Representative James F. Condon of South Boston. A graduate of Boston College High School, he earned his B.A magna cum laude from Holy Cross College, Class of 1954 and his MSLS in Library Science from Simmons College in 1965. Fr. Fahey entered St. John Seminary in Brighton and in 1959 was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston.

Fr. Fahey served at St. Francis of Assisi, Braintree (1959 to 1965) and St. Paul Parish, Wellesley (1966 to 1968) before being assigned to Pope John XIII Seminary in Weston, a national seminary for delayed vocations. Fr. Fahey served at Pope John XIII for almost 30 years as its Librarian, and served as Dean of Men from 1968 to 1997. In 1997 Fr. Fahey was again called to serve the Catholic community as pastor of St. Margaret Parish in Beverly Farms (1997 to 2009). As pastor at St. Margaret, he oversaw the restoration and refurbishment of the architecturally significant church, rectory and school basement. His gift to the faith community of Beverly Farms was relating his faith through scholarly interpretations of God's words and Jesus's example. The faith of his parishioners was always at the forefront. His temperate demeanor and compassion for all was reflected in each homily he delivered. After celebrating his Golden Jubilee, Fr. Fahey retired as pastor in 2009, and served as priest in residence at St. Margaret, and then at St. Mary Parish, in Georgetown (2010-2014).

A lifelong phonophile, Fr. Fahey reveled in collecting and listening to classical music. He spent many summer holidays enjoying in Casco Bay, Maine islands watching and admiring the naval and seafaring vessels.

James Leo Fahey was the beloved brother of the late Mary Louise (Fahey) Porter and the brother-in-law of Robert J. Porter. He leaves three nephews, Robert Porter Jr. and his wife Janet, Kevin Porter and his wife Amy, and James Porter; two nieces, Kathleen Porter and her husband James McGlynn and Marianne Porter and her husband Robert Keyes; three grand-nephews, Joseph Porter, Ian Porter and Leo Keyes; and three grand-nieces, Lindsey Porter, Molly McGlynn and Annie Porter.

Reverend Fahey will lie in state at St. Mary Parish Church, 94 Andover St. in Georgetown, Sunday from 2:15 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. The Rite of Reception will begin at 2: P.M. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial which will be Concelebrated at St. Mary Parish, 94 Andover St, Georgetown, Monday, March 21 at 11:00 A.M. Burial in St. Joseph's Cemetery, West Roxbury is private.

Assisting the family with the arrangements is Brookside Chapel and Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow, NH. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to St. Mary's Church in Georgetown, MA. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.brooksidechapelfh.com.