A Mass of Christian Burial for Father James A. Kirrane, a senior priest of the diocese, was celebrated June 26, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, East Northport, L.I. He died June 22 at Queens Hospital, Flushing. He was 91.
Born in Brooklyn, he was baptized in Holy Name Church, Park Slope. He attended Cathedral Prep and College, Brooklyn; and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington. He was ordained June 15, 1946 by Bishop Thomas E. Molloy at St. James Pro-Cathedral, Downtown Brooklyn.
He served as an assistant at Holy Innocents, Flatbush, 1946; and St. Michael’s, Flushing, 1946-47.
In 1947, he began a 26-year tenure as a professor of music on the faculty at Cathedral Prep, first in Brooklyn and then at the Elmhurst division of the school when it opened in 1963. He also was a member of the Diocesan Commission on Church Music.
In recent years, he has resided in an assisted living residence in East Northport.
Special concelebrants at the funeral Mass were Msgr. John R. Dreasen and Msgr. Vincent A. Keane, who preached the homily.
There were no immediate survivors. Burial was in St. John’s Cemetery, Middle Village.
Knew him well during his tenure @ Cath Prep Sem. A nicer man you will not find. Very caring. Exuded a calmness and sense of fulfillment. He will be missed.
I just read this about Father Kirrane. Hie officiated at my parents wedding which was his first. 20 years later he taught me at Cathedral Prep. He was a warm, caring priest Rest in peace Father.
I was a student at Cathedral College and captained the Basketball team – Father Kirrane was our coach and Professor of Music. During a music exam a fellow student asked for my paper to copy an essay answer.
I gave him my blue book – he copied my answer . Later Father Kirrane called me out of class laid out both papers, and asked me “did you cheat'”; I said “Yes Father I did.” Later called my friend told him; his answer ended the friendship. ” Bill no sense in both of us going down” .He denied cheating to Father Kirrane.
Much later Father Kirrane and I were alone and I said ” Father Firrane I did cheat but I want you to know I was the one giving the information” , He answered ” Bill I know that was why you remained captain of the team”
Jeanne Marie- I had the privilege of having Fr. Jim as my family’s spiritual director in the 70’s. His teaching of the gospel and always reminding us that Jesus loves us always, has lasted my entire life. Fr. Jim knew me better than I knew myself.