Francis Tierney

Chesapeake City - Francis J. Tierney of Chesapeake City, MD passed away Thursday, 12/14/2017 at the age of 97. Frank was born 06/27/1920 in Newark, DE to William A. and Helen O'Rourke Tierney, the second of eleven children.

He attended Newark Public School then entered St. Charles College in Catonsville, MD followed by St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore. He graduated in 1942 with a BA in Philosophy. Frank continued there studying Theology and was ordained to the Catholic priesthood for the Diocese of Wilmington, DE 12/24/1945.

For 31 years, he served as pastoral assistant at St. Mary's, St. Ann's, and St. Helena's in Wilmington, Good Shepherd in Perryville, MD, and chaplain at the Veteran's Hospital at Perry Point. He also served as Captain and Chaplain in the Delaware National Guard, then as Pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Ridgely, MD. He was founding Pastor of St. Polycarp Parish in Smyrna, DE then returned to the Wilmington area as Pastor of St. Mary Magdelain Parish and Dean of Suburban Wilmington.

After a brief leave of absence, he returned to Ridgley, MD as pastor until his retirement from active ministry and laicization.

Married to Carol Gerstenberg in 1976, Frank and Carol devoted themselves to breeding, training, and harness racing and settled in Chesapeake City.

Frank is survived by his wife, Carol of 41 years; his sisters Gertrude McKay of Tolland, MA and Marguerite Downey of Atlantic City, NJ; brother, Joseph Tierney of Long Grove, IL; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, 12/20/2017 at 11:00 am at St. Rose of Lima Church, 301 Lock Street, Chesapeake City, MD 21915. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. Burial will follow the service at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery.

R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A.

A Life Celebration Home

318 George Street,

Chesapeake City, MD 21915

www.rtfoard.com

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

Published by The News Journal on Dec. 18, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Francis Tierney

Sponsored by R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A. - Chesapeake.

11 Entries

BEVERLY/ARNIE SHER SAMSON

December 12, 2020

ST. MARY MAGDALEN-202/CONCORD PIKE-FATHER TIERNEY GOOD MAN/FRIEND-SAMSON/CUTRONA FAMILIES HELPED/ENJOYED WORKING W/ OUR PASTOR-FRANCIS LIVED GOOD LIVE-SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO FAMILY/FRIENDS.

ST. M.M. 202/CONCORD PIKE

December 12, 2019

GOOD MAN-TRUE TO HIMSELF-THANKS FOR KNOWING YOU-GOOD MEMORIES.

Rainy Gooding

December 26, 2017

Frank Tierney was a friend to our family. I remember him growing up and he was extremely kind. What a great guy!

December 19, 2017

My condolences to all the Tierneys, a well-regarded Newark family. -- Noreen Murphy

December 19, 2017

Our family was very fond of Fr. Tierney. We enjoyed watching the horse racing with he and his wife, Carol. RIP Mr. Tierney, and thoughts and prayers to his family!
Karen Buhrman

December 19, 2017

Frank Tierney was an amazing uncle, and an incredible human being. He was kind and thoughtful, and when my own father passed away in 1979, Uncle Frank and Aunt Carol regularly checked in with my mother, brother, sister, and I to make sure that we were doing o.k. He spent time with my younger brother and served as an incredible role model. He was soft-spoken and had a great sense of humor.
I love watching him race at Dover Downs and Brandywine. His love of horses and pets was one of his special qualities.
I know that God has prepared a very special place for him in heaven. God bless him always.

With love,
Loretta Gerstenberg Roe

CHILDREN'S FARM--TOWNSEND DE.

ARNIE SHER SAMSON

December 18, 2017

SAMSON FAMILY OF 202/CONCORD PIKE AND ST. MARY MAGDALEN CHURCH/SCHOOL....SENDS THEIR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO FAMILY/FRIENDS...CARMEN CUTRONA OF FAIRFAX GOT ME TO HELP ON SUNDAY MASSES...WORKING W/ FATHER TIERNEY/FRANCIS WAS A JOY...HE WAS A GOOD GUY/FRIEND....WORKING W/ HIM WAS FUN...

Thomas Gerstenberg

December 18, 2017

Frank Tierney was my uncle and offered incredible love, compassion for those lives he touched. I have special memories to the times I spent with him as a child and growing later in life.
His ethical and traditional values are what I strive for in my life, I hope that I can be revered like him as he is a role model of what a true man should be.
May God bless Aunt Carol and all the immediate family whom loved him so.

I am fortunate to have him effect my life in the manner it has.
TJG

Carol Seward

December 18, 2017

He was a very special man. He was a good friend to my parents, Virginia and Jimmy Blades. He was often our dinner guest and he and my father talked horses. I have other special memories, I made my First Communion with Father Tieney, often watched him at jousting tournaments. Then when I was ready to get married he was assigned to St Polycarp but came back to St Elizabeths to marry us. Carol and father also attended my parents 50th wedding anniversary at my house. Then lastly he came to my fathers funeral and spoke, 15 years ago. Again he was a special man and I was privileged to know him.

Carol Blades Seward

Susan Sturgis

December 18, 2017

I knew Fr. Tierney when he was racing horses. He was a quiet spoken, very kind man. He once told me that the horse business kind of gets under your skin. I knew exactly what he meant.

My most sincere condolences to his family and friends.

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