Fr. J. Thomas Connery, a longtime priest of the Diocese of Albany, N.Y., died tragically Oct. 31. CNS PHOTO | THE EVANGELIST
ALBANY, N.Y. — A priest of the Diocese of Albany died
tragically Oct. 31 when he was caught up in flash flooding on a rural road
while traveling to celebrate Mass for the people of Herkimer and Newport about 90
miles outside of Albany.
Father Thomas Connery, 82, a fixture in the diocese, was best
known as pastor at Immaculate Conception in Glenville from 1990 to 2007.
"We are so saddened to learn of Father Thomas Connery's
tragic death, but we know that he died as he lived — serving the people of God
without fear or concern for himself," Albany Bishop Edward B.
Scharfenberger said in a statement. "Father Connery was a devoted priest
who served faithfully for 56 years."
The priest "just weeks ago" had accepted a new
assignment as sacramental minister for Sts. Anthony and Joseph Church in
Herkimer as well as St. John the Baptist in Newport, the bishop said. "May
he rest in peace, and may his family be comforted by the faith that served as
Father Connery's strength and foundation throughout his life of ministry."
State Police in Herkimer reported that at approximately 10:10
p.m., Father Connery drove his 2017 Ford Fusion through the flood waters along
a road in the town of Norway in Herkimer County and barely made it through,
according to an eyewitness. The Times Union daily newspaper reported that troopers
said the road's shoulder collapsed and the priest's car partially fell into the
ravine.
Father Connery then got out his car and tried to walk back
through the flood waters he had just driven through toward the eyewitness, but
he lost his footing and was washed downstream, the report said. Due to the
strong current, his body could not be recovered until the next day.
Father Connery was born July 26, 1937, in Troy, graduated from
Mater Christi Seminary in 1957, Mount St. Mary College in 1959 and Mount St.
Mary's Seminary in 1963. He was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception in Albany by Bishop William A. Scully May 25, 1963.
In 1963, Father Connery started his first assignment as assistant
pastor at St. Mary's Church in Little Falls. After four years there, Father
Connery spent the next eight years in Alaska. In 1967, he was assistant pastor
at Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage and then became administrator in 1969. He
was then administrator at St. Benedict's in Anchorage, 1971; at St. Michael's
in Cordova, 1974; and at St. Paul Miki in Anchorage, 1975, before returning to
Albany.
In 1977, Father Connery was named hospital chaplain at Albany
Medical Center, and became pastor of St. Joseph's in Albany in 1978. In 1981,
he was named pastor of St. Mary's in Little Falls; then he was pastor of Sacred
Heart in Little Falls in 1986, before starting his time at Immaculate
Conception in Glenville.
Father Connery also led prison retreats, chaired the advisory
board for the Little Sisters of the Poor and served as chaplain to Magnificat,
a women's Christian group.
Matvey is a staff writer at The Evangelist, newspaper of
the Diocese of Albany.