Rev. David Noone

Noone, Rev. David
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Rev. David Noone passed away on June 15, 2025.
Well, if you're reading this, I've finally gone home-to be with family and friends and to finally meet a brother I never had the chance to know, as he was called home before I was born. No more emails, no more worrying about what to say in a homily, no more doctor's appointments or remembering which pills to take-though I am grateful for their care that added to my years. And while I hate to leave behind the people and places I've loved, I trust that the same God who has walked with me all these years is walking me home now. I was born on May 20, 1942, in Gloversville, N.Y., to John and Frances Noone, who gave me a foundation of faith, humor, and resilience that carried me through life. As a boy, I admired my parish priest and saw in him a way of life that resonated with me. I took it as a calling. On December 17, 1966, at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, I was ordained a priest-and for the rest of my life, I had the privilege of serving in ways I could never have imagined. I was a parish priest, a hospital chaplain, a campus minister-both at home and overseas-and I had the joy of helping build and support a secondary school in Haiti. In my retirement, I traveled extensively, making parish appeals on behalf of Unbound, supporting projects in 17 countries.
Along the way, I found joy in skiing in the winter, tennis in the summer, and music. I explored most of Europe, ventured a bit into Russia, China, Thailand and Japan, and took six unforgettable trips to New Zealand-a country unmatched in its beauty. I had a sense of humor, enjoyed crafting meaningful homilies, and loved meeting interesting people-each person bringing their own story, their own wisdom. I am especially grateful to Hideki Morooka, for his friendship and for all the many small ways in which he enriched my life. Looking back on my years in ministry, I can honestly say that being a priest has been one of the most meaningful ways to live a life. Each day brought a firsthand experience of grace. I entered the seminary because I believed God was calling me to the priesthood-that it was His plan for my life. I still believe that. But with the wisdom of years, I've come to understand that ministry isn't simply what a priest does; it's what God does for others through him-and for him through others.
I hope I've left behind more love than regret, more laughter than tears, and more faith than doubt. If you want to honor my memory, don't send flowers-just take the time to notice grace at work in your own life, be kind to the people around you, and, if you think of it, say a prayer that I made it home.
The Funeral Masses will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church, in Fayetteville, N.C., on Tuesday, June 24, at 6 p.m., and at Christ Our Light Catholic Church, in Loudonville, N.Y., on Friday, June 27, at 10 a.m.