Fr. Henry McErlean

September 28, 1932 - February 15, 2015

Fr. Henry McErlean O.S.A. of Mary Lake Augustinian Monastery, King City Ontario, and formerly of Belfast Northern Ireland, passed away peacefully at Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket Ontario on Sunday, February 15, 2015 at the age of 82 years.

Beloved brother of Bernadette, Marie and Richard, and much loved uncle of nieces and nephews, Richard, Stephenie, Dominica, Therese, Brian, Simon, Olivia, Jennifer and each of their children: grand nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents, Teresa and Richard McErlean, sister Anne O’Neill, brother Gerard and sister Dolores McErlean.

Fr. Henry lived a warm, holy and exemplary life by any objective measurement. He believed we were all made in God’s image and had a great respect for the Parish Priests who spent time in the midst of their people.

Fr. Henry joined the Fathers of the Sacred Heart in Rome to become a missionary. He studied theology and in March 1959 he took his Holy Orders and was ordained in the Vatican by Cardinal Montini, subsequently Pope Paul VI. Dedicated to serving the needs of God’s family, he travelled to Africa, where he toiled to bring God’s message and to spread and set alight His divine love in the hearts of the African people. Interested in attracting the youth back to the church, he organized and developed retreats at Mary Lake and subsequently he took vows in the Order of St. Augustine December 15, 1993. His calming smile, wisdom and his wit will be missed. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all of his family and many friends.

Funeral Arrangements will take place at the Augustinian Monastery Marylake, 13760 Keele St., King City as follows: Wednesday February 18, 2015 general visitation hours from 3 pm in the afternoon until 8:00 pm in the evening, during the time 4:30-5:00 pm all are invited to join the Augustinian community in praying the Office of the Dead for Father Henry. A Knights of Columbus Prayer Service will take place on Wednesday from 6:30-7:30 pm. On Thursday February 19, 2015 general visitation from 9:00 am to 9:45 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am. Spring Interment at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Following the Mass all are cordially invited to a luncheon at Marylake Monastery. Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral Home, Aurora Ontario. On-line condolences may be made at www.thompsonfh-aurora.com