A Mass of Christian Burial for Father John J. Cremins, a senior priest of the diocese, was celebrated Oct. 18 at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Forest Hills. He died Oct. 15 at his family’s home in Cypress Hills. He was 72.

Born in Brooklyn, he was baptized in Blessed Sacrament Church, Cypress Hills. He attended St. Bonaventure University and Christ the King Seminary, both Olean, N.Y., and was ordained by Bishop Francis J. Mugavero on May 31, 1969, at St. James Pro-Cathedral, Downtown Brooklyn.

He served as an assistant at Our Lady of Angels, Bay Ridge, 1969-77; and St. Rose of Lima, Parkville, 1977-89.

He earned a doctorate in psychology at St. John’s University, Jamaica, while in residence at Assumption B.V.M. rectory, Brooklyn Heights.

He was a parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mercy from 2000 to 2011, when he retired.

Father Cremins was an associate professor at St. John’s University and also taught at Iona College, New Rochelle, N.Y., and Trinity College, Dublin. He served as a member of the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission, the Diocesan Retirement Board, the Bay Ridge Mental Health Council, Mapleton Clinic advisory board, the American Association of University Professors and the American Psychological Association.

Father Thomas Pettei, episcopal vicar for Queens, was the main celebrant of the funeral Mass. Special concelebrants included Msgrs. John McGuirl, Kevin Noone and Michael J. Brennan and Fathers John J. Gildea, Richard J. Ahlemeyer and Raphael Munday-Kukana. Father August J. Iantosca preached the homily.

Msgr. McGuirl, pastor of Our Lady of Mercy, said that Father Cremins was a popular counselor and confessor. Because of his education in psychology, he was able to bridge the gap between the spiritual and the psychological, the monsignor said.

Father Cremins, who had not been in good health since retirement, is remembered very fondly at Our Lady of Mercy, said Msgr. McGuirl. “He tried to keep helping out as much as he could,” he said.

Father Cremins is survived by his mother, Mary, of Cypress Hills, and his brothers, Gerald and Daniel. Burial was in St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, L.I.