Rev. Msgr. John J. Mescall

1927 - 2016

Mescall, Rev. Msgr. John J.

Msgr. John Mescall, former Pastor of Holy Family Church in New Rochelle, died on September 3, 2016 in Mount Kisco. He was born September 5, 1927 in the Bronx to John and Agnes (Reilly) Mescall. He attended Cathedral College and then went on to study for the priesthood at St. Joseph's Seminary. After being ordained on May 14, 1952 by Francis Cardinal Spellman, he was sent to Immaculate Conception Church in Staten Island as an associate pastor. He later served as associate pastor at St. Matthew's in Hastings and St. Sylvester's in Staten Island.

In 1959 he was named Regional Family Life Director for Staten Island and in 1964 he received an M.S in Pastoral Counseling from Iona College. Msgr. Mescall became involved in Pre Cana and remained throughout his priesthood a much respected counselor for both laity and those in church vocations.

In 1966 he was named Assistant Spiritual Director at St. Joseph's Seminary. In 1970 he became Vicar for Religious of the Archdiocese and oversaw the religious communities of men and women living in consecrated life. During this time he testified successfully before Congress on behalf of the religious women and men of the United States becoming eligible for Social Security and, eventually, Medicare. He was named an Honorary Prelate to the Holy Father in July 1970.

In 1973 Msgr. Mescall was named Pastor of St. Catharine's Church in Blauvelt and six years later he was appointed Rector of St. Joseph's Seminary. In 1980 he was named to the Board of Consulters for the Archdiocese. In 1982 he became Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in the Bronx and at the completion of two terms was appointed Pastor of Holy Family in New Rochelle where he remained until his retirement from administrative responsibilities. In 2003 he became a Senior Priest at Resurrection Parish in Rye, retiring in 2010 and moving to the O'Connor Clergy Residence in Riverdale.

He was predeceased by his sister Agnita O'Halloran and is survived by his nephews Kevin O'Halloran and Thomas O'Halloran and their families.

Visiting will be on Wednesday September 7th from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at Lloyd Maxcy & Sons Beauchamp Chapel, 16 Shea Pl. New Rochelle, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Thursday 10am at Holy Family Church, New Rochelle. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to

Doctors without Borders @www.doctorswithoutborders.org.

www.lloydmaxcy.com