A memorial Mass for Father William F. Early, a senior priest of the Brooklyn Diocese who was living in San Diego, will be celebrated Sept. 5 at 11 a.m., in the main chapel at the Immaculate Conception Pastoral Center, Douglaston.

Father Early died Aug. 5 in California where the funeral took place. He was 71.

Born in Brooklyn, Father Early attended Cathedral College and Christ the King Seminary, St. Bonaventure, N.Y.

He was ordained June 1, 1968 by Auxiliary Bishop John J. Boardman at St. James Pro-Cathedral, Downtown Brooklyn.

He served as an assistant at St. Mary Star of the Sea, Carroll Gardens, 1968-74; and Queen of Peace, Kew Gardens, 1974-75.

In 1975, he moved into the residence at Cathedral College, Douglaston, and in 1978, he moved to San Diego where he lived and served at Nazareth House.

Due to declining health, he moved to Ascension Church in San Diego, where he helped as much as his health permitted.