James J. Lebar

Hyde Park - Rev. James J. LeBar, 71, a longtime Hyde Park resident, died on Thursday, February 21, 2008 at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie. A Catholic Priest with the Archdiocese of New York, Fr. LeBar was a graduate of St. Joseph's Seminary in Dunwoodie. Ordained on June 2, 1962, his first appointment was at St. John the Evangelist, White Plains, and he went on to serve appointments at St. Catherine Laboure, Lake Katrine, St. Gregory Barbarigo, Garnerville, St. Joseph's, Kingston , St. Stanislaus, Pleasant Valley, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Poughkeepsie, and St. Paul's, Congers. He was also a priest in residence at Regina Coeli Church, Hyde Park, and a Chaplain at the Hudson River Psychiatric Center for over 25 years, until his retirement. A former Communications Officer for the Archdiocese, he was a long time member and chairman of several committees of the NYS Catholic Chaplains Association. He was also very involved in the Blue Army. Fr. LeBar worked with Fr. Flanagan�s Boys Town and directed many retreats and Adult and Youth Seminars both locally and to the Netherlands Antilles including Aruba and Curacao. A former Eagle Scout himself, he was affiliated for many years with The Boy Scouts of America. He was an authority and prolific writer on the subject of the occult and demonology for the Archdiocese of New York. Appointed by Cardinal O�Connor as Chief Exorcist for the Archdiocese, he appeared on many television talk shows including Geraldo, EWTN, ABC�s 20/20, and the CBS Early Show. Born in Hartford, Conn. on May 19, 1936, he was the son of the late William Raymond and Dorothy Teresa Banach LeBar. Survivors include his sister-in-law, Patricia F. LeBar of Hartsdale; and her children, William LeBar and fiancee, Christina Curran, of New Rochelle, and Emily LeBar of Hartsdale; brother-in-law, Robert Gaire of Scarsdale; close family friends, Merlyn and Hylton Pike of Poughkeepsie, and Christine Jones of Staatsburg. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Robert LeBar, and a sister, Beverly LeBar Gaire. Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 pm, Sunday, February 24, 2008 at Regina Coeli Church, Rte. 9, Hyde Park. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am, Monday, February 25th at Regina Coeli Church. The main celebrant will be Bishop Dominick Lagonegro. Burial will follow in the family plot in St. Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx. Arrangements are under the directions of Sweet�s Funeral Home, Inc., Hyde Park. To send a condolence or for directions, please visit www.sweetsfuneralhome.com