Anthony Concha

Father Anthony Concha, S.J. of the New Orleans Province, departed this life on Sunday, December 5, 2010 in the residence at Sacred Heart Parish, El Paso, after suffering a short illness. He was 77 years of age; he had been a Jesuit for 60 years and a priest for 47 years. All services will be held in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 602 S. Oregon St.,El Paso, Texas 79901. Visitation will be on Thursday, December 9th from 7 to 9 pm with the Rosary at 7:30 pm. Visitation will continue on Friday morning, December 10th from 9 to 11 am. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am with burial to follow at the Jesuit plot within the Concordia Cemetery, El Paso. Born in El Paso, TX on January 12, 1933, Fr. Concha entered the Jesuit novitiate at St. Charles College in Grand Coteau, LA on July 30, 1950. After his first vows on July 31, 1952, he studied at Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL, obtaining a B.A. degree in Spanish in 1957; studied at the University of Panama in Spanish and Latin American Literature from 1958-59 during the summers; received a S.T.B. from St. Mary's College, St. Mary's, KS in 1965 and in 1968 he received a M.A. degree in Spanish from the University of New Mexico. Fr. Concha did his regency assignment at Jesuit High School, in New Orleans, LA from 1957-1960 and then in 1965 returned to his beloved El Paso and worked various assignments until his passing. From 1965-1972 he taught at Jesuit High School, El Paso, TX; 1972-1973 he was the associate pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel; 1973-1984 he was the teacher and vice rector at St. Charles Minor Seminary; from 1984-1999 he was the chaplain at Thomason General Hospital. His last assignment was as the pastoral apostolate at the Good Shepherd Convent. Fr. Concha leaves behind a rich legacy 4 decades of loving and holy of pastoral ministry. So many people in the Borderland Area were baptized, married, counseled, anointed, loved and cared for in every way humanly possible by Fr. Anthony Concha. . Fr. Concha had a very special devotion to the poor, and was constantly helping them, making them sandwiches, giving them alms to help support their families. The graduates of Jesuit High School of El Paso (1959-1972) will always have a very special place in their hearts for their wise mentor and dedicated teacher of many years. Fr. Concha was preceded in death by his parents Luz Armendariz de Concha and David Concha. He is also preceded in death by brothers George and William Concha. Fr. Concha is survived by his sisters Cecilia Concha, Concha Loza, Alice Gonzalez, Mary Lou Salaiz, Margie Learn, and brothers Robert, Edward, and Henry. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: "Sacred Heart Church Jesuit Ministries." Funeral arrangements directed by San Jose Funeral Home 915-532-1856