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Reverend John D. Silk

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O'Donnell Funeral Home

276 Pawtucket Street

Lowell, Massachusetts

John Silk Obituary

In Lowell, August 19, 2008, at D'Youville Senior Care, age 80 of Lowell, Senior Priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, Born in Lowell March 4, 1928, the son of the late Adam F. and late Mary (Cogger) Silk, he attended Lowell Schools, graduate of Keith Academy Class of 1945. In 1951, he was a member of the first graduating class at Merrimack College. A Veteran of Korean Conflict, he served in the US Navy. Fr. Silk then studied for the priesthood at St. John's Seminary in Brighton and was ordained at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston on February 2, 1959 by Richard Cardinal Cushing. His first assignment was as an Assistant at St. Jerome Church in Weymouth, until 1963, when he became Chaplain at Holy Ghost Hospital (now Youville Hospital) in Cambridge until 1973. From 1973 to 1979, Fr. Silk was an Assistant at St. Joseph Church in Belmont then to St. Margaret Church in Burlington and St. Camillis in Arlington, until 1985, when he was appointed the Pastor of St. Mary Church in Wrentham. In 1988, he served at the Immaculate Conception Church in Newburyport and then at St. Joseph Church (Holy Family) in Amesbury until 2004. Fr. Silk enjoyed golfing, travelling and "Big Band" music. He is survived by a sister Mary C. McInerney and her husband Walter of North Chelmsford; a brother James F. Silk of Lowell; four nieces Patricia Kelley of Pelham, NH, Susan Silkof Lowell, Ann Taylor, both of Lowell and Mary McGeown of Dracut; five nephews James D. Silk of Bethesda, MD, John F. Silk of Chelmsford, William J. Silk of Lowell, Joseph D. Silk of Westford and David J. Silk of Lowell and many grandnieces and grandnephews. Brother-in-law of the late Ann Frances (Nester) Silk. Fr. Silk will Lie-in-State Saturday morning from 10-11 o'clock at St. Rita Church in Lowell, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 o'clock. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. Contributions in his memory to the D'Youville Senior Care Center, Patient Activities Fund, 981 Varnum Ave., Lowell, MA 01854. Econdolences/Directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Calling hours at O'Donnell Funeral Home, 276 Pawtucket St., Lowell from 4-7 PM on Friday.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe on Aug. 21, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for John Silk

Not sure what to say?





Louise P Corkhum

March 4, 2021

March 4, 2021
Remembering you on your 83
Birthday.
Judy...Cassie....Cherilyn... 3 Brides

Louise P Corkhum

March 4, 2009

Birthday Rememberance
March 4, 1928

Ordained A Priest Forever
Feb. 2, 1959

PRAYER TO ST. RITA

Oh God, in your infinite mercy you looked with love on your faithful servant Rita and granted through her intercession that which is beyond the power of mankind and the wisdom of this world. Through that love which bound St.Rita to you turn to us in mercy and aid us in our difficulties.

Grant that all may come to know that you alone are the reward of the humble, the protection of the abandoned, and the strength of all those who trust inyou.

Thank you for sharing your priesthood and friendship. You were there for the weddings and funerals, and took your place on the alter saying the prayers for my father at the Episcopal Church. My family was so disappointed when they realized you were not the new young minister. But you so enjoyed telling them they could join your flock. Plus you always had a golf story or a joke to tell.

I will always remember you, and keep your close to my heart.

Jeri Pino

January 3, 2009

To a wonderful man and priest. Thank you for my conversion and for marring us. I will never forget you at Cambridge City Hospital. You will always remain in my heart.

Patricia Basque

August 25, 2008

Thanks for shareing your priesthood and friendship with us. Good memories. May God Bless you and may you rest in peace. Jean and Pat Basque

Marcia Sikorski (DiTullio)

August 22, 2008

Remembering Fr. John from his frst assignment in North Weymouth where he became part of our family, The DiTullio's. All through my childhood, he was always there. I know he is at peace and hanging out now with my Mom in heaven. The DiTullio family sends its' sincerest sympathies to his family.

Elinor (Honey Reilly) Wimmer

August 22, 2008

Mary, our condolences to you and your family. I remember John at the Cadet Reunion, marching and singing with us. I also remember your Dad's daily visits to St. Rita's, and your Mom and mine visiting on the phone, and co-chairing the Ladies Card Luncheon. Good memories!

Diane Muryn

August 22, 2008

I will always remember Fr. Silk as Harry becuase of a very cute joke he once told. What a wonderful priest he was. May God rest your soul Fr. Silk.

Deacon Ken Oles

August 21, 2008

Thank you for sharing your priesthood with the parishoners and me at St. Mary, Wrentham. I will never forget you. God Bless.

Kathleen & John Sullivan

August 21, 2008

May our old friend, Fr. Silk from Holy
Ghost Hospital to St. Joseph's Church
where he baptised our daughters,
Rest in Peace.

Tom Quinlan

August 21, 2008

My wife Mary and I always had great respect for Fr. Silk when he was here at St Joseph's in Amesbury.

Phyllis terHorst

August 21, 2008

I will always remember your singing "Pennies From Heaven" and holding up the umbrella during a parish event in the St. Joseph's Hall a long time ago.
Look up my David and have a round of golf with him and maybe a Manhattan!!!

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