Msgr. Richard J. Ahlemeyer, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, was born on July 8, 1950, was ordained to the priesthood on March 12, 1977, and died on Sunday, May 12, 2024. He was 73 years old.
Msgr. Ahlemeyer served the Diocese of Brooklyn as pastor of the parishes of Saint Camillus–Saint Virgilius, Rockaway Park, and Saint Pius V, Jamaica, as well as temporary administrator of Saint Rose of Lima, Rockaway Beach.
Msgr. Ahlemeyer was dean of the Queens 10 Deanery and a faculty member of the Cathedral Preparatory Seminary.
He also served as parochial vicar of the parishes of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Jamaica, and Saint Mary, Long Island City. Msgr.
On Dec. 19, 2019, Msgr. Ahlemeyer was named Chaplain of His Holiness. He was also a member of the Priests’ Purgatorial Society.
“I’ve known him since our first year in college; he’s always been a stand-up guy, and a great, hardworking priest,” said Msgr. Fernando Ferrarese, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, Astoria, who delivered the homily at the funeral Mass for Msgr. Ahlemeyer on Thursday, May 16.
“He took a very human approach with his parishioners. They felt they could always count on him, and come to him with their concerns.
As a fellow first-year seminarian at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Douglaston, Msgr. Ferrarese said he was “drawn to his honesty. He was always honest with everybody, and people not only liked him, but they also trusted him.
Ed Wilkinson, editor emeritus of The Tablet, concurred that Msgr. Ahlemeyer was “always an easygoing, approachable guy, who always had a laugh and a smile for everybody.”
People loved him at St. Camillus- St. Virgilius.
“During his time as pastor of St. Pius V in South Jamaica, the parish had an annual celebration for the feast of Our Lady of Fatima,” Wilkinson noted.
“Every year, even after he was no longer pastor at St. Pius, Msgr. Ahlemeyer never failed to return for that feast.
“He was supposed to attend again this year, and the congregation was stunned and saddened when it was announced he wouldn’t be there. His passing is a loss.”
“Father Richie, the best,” said Sister Ave Clark, O.P.
“I would come to the parish [to give retreats], and Father Richie would have everything set up. He made great coffee.
“The kindest heart ever. Father Richie embraced all with his big heart. I know he is having his Glory in heaven. I can see him telling God how much he loved serving the Lord here on earth,” she said.
A funeral Mass for Msgr. Ahlemeyer was celebrated on May 16 at 11 a.m. at St. Camillus Church, Rockaway Park. Bishop Robert Brennan was the celebrant.
Interment followed at St. John Cemetery, Middle Village.