Rev. Fr. William J. Scanlan, 66, Friday, April 26, at the Marian Manor in South Boston. Father Scanlan was born in Dorchester on June 5, 1946, the son of the late William F. and Kathleen V. (Carnes) Scanlan. He was raised in Dedham and graduated from BC High School. He attended St. John’s Seminary and was ordained in 1972.
Rev. Scanlan began his ministry at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Belmont from 1972-1975. He was the Associate Pastor of St. Timothy's Church in Norwood from 1975-1983. He then entered a series of special assignments including specialized ministry to youth at Pilgrim Center in Braintree; Prison Chaplain at Southeast Correctional Center in Bridgewater; and co-founding a transitional program called Home for Now, Inc. until 1994. Rev. Scanlan was pastor of St. James Church in Stoughton until 1997 when complications from a heart condition made it necessary for him to take a health leave. In 1998, after a time of recuperation, he returned to active ministry within the Military Archdiocese of the United States as a VA hospital chaplain assigned to the Palo Alto Heath Care System, Palo Alto, CA. until 2002. After having to retire because of physical disabilities, he began to assist at Saint Brigid’s Church in Johnston, RI in 2005.
Father Scanlan leaves his sisters, Maureen (Ryan) Favorito and her husband Sabino of West Roxbury, Mildred Robison of Weymouth, Margaret Hoeg of Easton, Marie Diauto of Florida; also many close friends and their families he considered relatives including Ronald Bartkiewicz of Walpole, Christopher Jones of Canton, Patrick Glennon of Walpole, Jason Mitchell of Tampa, FL and Joanne and her husband James Grant of Stoughton, MA and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his step-mother, Mildred Ryan; by his brothers, George and Robert Ryan; and his nephew, Tony Favorito.
Relatives and friends may call on Wednesday, May 1, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at St. Brigid Church, 1231 Plainfield St., Johnston, RI followed by a funeral mass to be celebrated in the church at 7:00 PM. Relatives and friends may also call on Thursday, May 2, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at St. Timothy Church, 650 Nichols St., Norwood, MA. Father Scanlan’s final funeral services will be held on Friday, May 3, at 10:00 AM from the Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole St., (Rt. 1A) NORWOOD, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Timothy Church. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Roslindale. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Marian Manor, 130 Dorchester Street, South Boston, MA 02127, or to My Brother's Keeper Christian Ministry, PO Box 338, Easton, MA 02356. For more information or to leave online condolences, please visit the funeral home’s website.
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