Fr. John ("Jack") Oldfield, OAR

Suffern - Fr. John ("Jack") Oldfield, OAR, of Suffern, New York, died on January 20, 2021, after suffering complications from the Covid-19 virus. He was born on March 25, 1933, to the late Daniel and Gertrude Countey and is survived by his sister, Mary Napolitano and brother-in-law Vincent as well as a number of cousins. Before entering the Order of Augustinian Recollects, he served in the US Army and graduated with a B.S. from Fordham University. He was ordained to the priesthood on July 20, 1963 at Sacred Heart Church in Suffern. Fr. Jack is especially remembered for his dedication to studies and to teaching; his love for writing, reflected in a number of books and numerous articles; his eloquent preaching style; his work in vocational promotion and the education of seminarians; his fluency in Spanish and work in Spanish-speaking ministry; his work in promoting Augustinian Studies, and his dedication to the Order, giving countless retreats and scholarly conferences around the world. He twice served as Prior Provincial of St. Augustine [now St. Nicholas] Province and Prior of Tagaste Monastery in Suffern, and was an active fund raiser and promoter of the Pius X Guild and the Secular Augustinian Recollects. Fr. Jack was a great friend to the local Suffern community as well as to his fellow religious and will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral services will be held at Sacred Heart Church, Suffern, NY as follows: Vigil: Monday, Jan. 25: Viewing in the church from 6-7:00 PM; Vigil Mass (Spanish) 7:30 PM. Funeral: Tuesday, Jan. 26: Viewing in the church from 10-11:00 AM; Funeral Mass 11:30 AM. Burial following immediately at Ascension Cemetery, Monsey, NY. Donations can be made to Tagaste Monastery, Suffern, NY, or to the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate (St. Joseph Home) in Sloatsburg, NY.

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Published by The Journal News from Jan. 22 to Jan. 23, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for John Oar

Sponsored by Edwards Funeral Chapel, Inc. - Suffern Edwards Funeral Chapel, Inc., formerly Scarr Funeral Home, In.

5 Entries

Richard Mattern

March 11, 2021

To Mary Lou and all the Oldfield relatives and the entire Augustinian Recollects, I want to convey my prayers and condolences to all of you.
When Fr. Jack was 13 yrs old, he was one of the two altar servers at my mom and dad's (Paul and Mary Avenall Mattern) Wedding on May 4, 1946 at Sacred Heart Church in Suffern NY.
When my parents celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on May 4, 1996, Fr. Jack and Msgr. Robert Ford concelebrated the Mass that day which was held in the upstairs dining hall of the St. Plus X Guild Hall at Tagaste Monastery.
My dad passed away in February 2003. When my mom passed away in January 2013, the night before her funeral at Sacred Heart, I asked Fr. Jack to give the eulogy at mom's funeral. Fr. Jack was very good friends with my mom's family, the Avenall's over the years.
I am almost 71 years old and I had known Fr. Jack for most of those years. I loved listening to him speak and he had such an angelic voice.
Rest in peace Fr. Jack. May the Lord hold Fr. Jack in the palm of His hand.
Sleep well my friend.

Barbara A Verry

January 26, 2021

When I saw you two years ago at Tagaste, I knew I would never see you again in this life. Please pray for me, dear Fr. Jack, that we may meet again in the next.

Robert Collins

January 23, 2021

I was a very good friend of father jack
I attended his ordination and spent many hours at tagaste monastery over many years
He was a very good friend to my family the Collins
I’m very broken hearted but know he is with god

Fr. Andrew W. Cryans

January 23, 2021

My memories of Fr. Jack date back to the Monastery of Saint Augustine in Kansas City, Kansas. He was my director during the collegiate years at
Rockhurst from 1967-1971. Very many memories of him, his brothers
Fr. Tom and Bill, as well as their Mother from her visit to Kansas City and
later in Suffern. I will offer Mass here at St. Thomas More for Jack and remember his Family at prayer. He was a good and faithful servant of the
Lord. May he glory in peace and eternal rest

Father John P. Rosson

January 23, 2021

Fr Jack- first priest that I witnessed ordained.. hot muggy 20 July 1963
Four years later would become the Cleric Master at Kansas City.
Over those many years, I experienced him as professional student
of Lamenais, Modernism, and philosophy. He mentored us young
seminarians to be inquisitive and ever searching. He left footprints
on many lives as a professor, college President and, of course,
as priest I hope that he will have his pipe in the land of the
saints. May he be with the angels

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