Father William Morgan

Reverend Father William Paul Morgan, age 90, of Barnet, VT, passed away on Friday, May 25, 2018, at his residence.

Fr. Bill was born in Lynn, MA, on April 26, 1928, son to Francis and Jennie (Leonowitz) Morgan.  He was raised and educated in Malden, MA, graduating from Malden High School, Class of 1946.  Following graduation, Bill joined the Navy and served for two years from 1946-1948 earning the rank of Seaman First Class.  He attended St. Clement Minor Seminary and St. John Seminary in Brighton, MA. On February 2, 1957, Fr. Bill was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, MA, by His Eminence Richard Cardinal Cushing, Archbishop of Boston.

His priestly ministry began in Vermont as Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Burlington (2-22-1957 to 3-4-1958).  He then served at St. Aloysius Parish, St. Johnsbury, VT (3-4-1958 to 5-29-1964) and St. Mary Parish, Springfield, VT (5-29-1964 to 7-26-1968).  His first pastorate was at Our Lady of Snows Parish, Waitsfield (7-26-1968 to 8-23-1972).  He also served as Pastor at St. Theresa Parish, Orleans (8-23-1972 to 6-29-1977) followed by St. Luke Parish, Fairfax (6-29-1977 to 6-18-1986), St. John the Evangelist Parish, Northfield (6-18-1986 to 6-20-1990), and Blessed Sacrament Parish, Stowe (6-20-1990 to 6-30-1994).

On June 30, 1999, Fr. Morgan was granted Senior Priest status.  He came out of retirement to serve as Pastor at St. Dominic Parish, Proctor (6-19-2002 to 5-14-2003) and St. James Parish, Island Pond (5-14-2003 to 7-1-2008).  He again was granted Senior Priest status on July 1, 2008.

Fr. Bill is survived by a sister: Dr. Linda Morgan of Lynn, MA; a sister-in-law: Jacquelyn, of Weaverville, NC, and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents: Francis A. and Jennie G. Morgan; two sisters: Kathleen Rubman and Teresa Royle, and a brother: Dr. Donald R. Morgan

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at 11AM at St. Elizabeth Church on Hill Street in Lyndonville with Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne, Bishop of Burlington, as principal celebrant. The homilist will be Monsignor John J. McDermott.

Visiting hours will be held from 6-8PM Friday evening June 1, 2018, in St. Johnsbury, at St. John the Evangelist Church on the corner of Winter and Main Streets.

The burial will take place at a later date at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Lynn, MA.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.saylesfh.com