Reverend Franklin A. Darling

Father Darling said the Mass at my wedding to David Hem in 1973 at St. Patrick Church in Chicopee. He was a good friend to us, and we loved his sense of humor. Though we had not seen him in many years, we remembered him fondly. May he rest in heavenly peace.

Father Darling and I met in 1971 when I was just getting started in the charismatic renewal movement as a student of Boston College. On a trip from Boston to Ann Arbor, MI for a conference, I visited Father in Chicopee. He was intrigued that I was a Holyoke kid from there Flats going to BC. He invited me to speak at one of his prayer meetings there and the Holy Spirit fell in power during my visit there. After this brief encounter, our paths did not cross again for 4 decades.

I...

Cousin Franklin was such a joy to be around--he brought light and laughter with him wherever he went. He will be missed but remembered with a smile!

We will miss you and your profound wisdom! You will always be in our prayers and in our hearts. We love you Father Darling.

Jim and Carol Milewski

I will miss Fr. Darling's wry smile and the twinkle in his eye. He had a joyful spirit with just the right hint of mischief about him. I know he is at peace in the Kingdom of the Lord.

What a wonderful person; he will be greatly missed.

Father Darling was a dear friend to my parents Mr.and Mrs.(Lorraine) David A. Donahue Sr. I have so many fond memories of vacationing as a child at the cape. He was an exceptional priest and a fine man. We were lucky to have him in our lives as a family. May God Bless him and keep him close to his heart.

Fr Darling has been my friend, mentor, confessor and source of strength and wisdom for many years now. In so many ways he taught me how to be a priest for the people. I will miss him greatly.