Monsignor John Franklin Hall

Monsignor John Franklin Hall, age 92, having celebrated his 65th year of ordination, died Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at Beaumont Hospital in Troy, Michigan. He was born May 1, 1928 in Detroit, son of the late John and the late Angela (nee: Smith) Hall.

Not every kid knows quite what they’re doing following high school, but John certainly did. You see,…there was no doubt in his mind, even at an early age, that God was placing a call upon his heart for ministerial service, a call that would find John seeking higher education,…even unto his Divinity training. The goal? He wanted to become a priest and be a servant to all, a goal he achieved in 1955 when he was ordained within the Archdiocese of Detroit.

This year marked his 65 year in ministry, a journey that found his scope of service ranging from fledgling priest to the esteemed position of Monsignor. In June of 1955, with his first assignment being that of Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish in Ira Township, Michigan, Fr. John’s entire body of experiences also included that as Pastor and Administrator, the latter of which was his final assignment concluding on June 30, 2009 at St. James Parish in Ferndale, Michigan. Between those dates, John was honored to serve at a number of churches in the area, to include;

St. Ambrose Parish in Grosse Pointe Park

St. Francis Xavier in Ecorse

Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit

St. Patrick’s Parish in Wyandotte

St. Martin de Porres Parish in Warren

St. Philip Neri / Holy Rosary Mission in Columbus

St. Richard Parish in Westland

St. Damien Parish in Westland

St. Andrew Parish in Rochester

St. Lawrence Parish in Utica

                                                                            SS. John & Paul Parish in Washington Twp.

St. Mary Parish in Royal Oak

It’s quite a list, and quite the testament to a man who took on immense responsibility, faced many challenges, experienced great triumphs, and served his Father in Heaven with honor and humility that simply translated to that of his fellow parishioner’s.

For the past 10 years, Monsignor has been a vital and integral part of Detroit’s, Sacred Heart Major Seminary where he served as the Resident Spiritual Director for the host of Seminarians who have passed through its halls over the years. Known more affectionately as their spiritual father & friend, Monsignor was truly devoted to the students and thrived on providing them the pastoral guidance and mentoring they sought and coveted. Bringing his years of experience to the table, John delighted in sharing his many stories, answering the many questions, and helping to prepare the churches future leaders. To quote one of his seminarians in an article from 2017, Deacon Craig Marion shared; “I owe much of my skills in how to listen attentively and show Jesus’ love to others to Monsignor John Hall.” And it just doesn’t get more heartfelt than that.

Aside from his work as a spiritual leader within the church, Monsignor also wore a different kind of ministerial hat in the decades that he served as Chaplain for the Warren Fire Department. A spiritual mentor for many of our First Responder’s over the years, John was the guy in whom you could share a laugh as well as a tear, and you never ceased to come away from spending time in his company a bit more enriched and lifted up. He was easy to talk with and a joy to be around for many of these “servants to the city” who found immense encouragement through his ministry in their lives.  

Monsignor enjoyed a very full life which just happened to include a few of his favorite pastimes when he found a little “me time” in the day, one of which was his love of golfing. Nothing much says fun quite like sharing a sunny day on the links in search of that elusive Hole-in-One,…and John just loved chasing that little ball around the course. Another of his favorites was enjoyed each time he was afforded the pleasure of boating and being on the water. Whether he was at the controls or just along for the ride, there was always a respect and appreciation for the Great Lakes and the joy he garnered from “ridin’ the waves.” Travel was another favorite of John’s, particularly the trips he spent visiting family in both Arizona and Alaska.

Regarded as humble and kind, Monsignor simply loved people and loved a good meal. And if he was truly fortunate, the two would meld and make for a special time together. It’s been said; “when you’re eating, you’re happy,”…and John was often ecstatic.

Monsignor was a loving servant who lived his dream,…touched countless hearts and souls along the way,…and leaves a legacy of love, brought down to us from the Father, that he shared in abundance and taught us all to do the same. To quote Deacon Marion one more time, “Monsignor was truly a priest’s priest. He will be missed beyond expression and loved beyond measure.    

Msgr. Hall was the beloved son of the late John and Angela Hall. Loving brother of Sr. Margaret Hall OSF, Marylyn (David) Hendrin, Leo (Susan) Hall, the late Allen (Trudy) Hall, the late Agnes (Joe) Kutyla, and the late Kathleen (the late Michael) Romanchik. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and great nieces & nephews.

Visitation for Msgr. Hall will be held Monday, October 26th from 5-9 pm and Tuesday, October 27th from 2-9 pm, with a 7pm Rosary Service on Tuesday, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Rd.) in Warren.

He will lie in state on Wednesday, October 28th from 10:00 am until time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 31555 Hoover Road in Warren. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit where he will be laid to rest beside his dear mother, Angela.

The Funeral Mass will be live streamed through the St. Martin de Porres Facebook page.

Memorial donations are welcomed to the Capuchin Ministries, 1820 Mt. Elliott St., Detroit, MI 48207 (www.cskdetroit.org) or to the Sisters of St. Francis.

Please share memories of Msgr. Hall at his guest book below.