Rev. John V. Ahern
1934 - 2024
Obituary
Rev. John V. Ahern was called to heaven on Saturday, December 28th on The Feast of the Innocents. Born on Wednesday, May 9, 1934, in Syracuse, New York. He would become the 3rd of 7 children; 5 boys and 2 girls. John grew up on Bradley Street with his parents and grandparents and graduated from St. Lucy’s High School in 1953.
After high school he began working for Carrier Corp which was located on South Geddes Street, and then moved to Carrier Circle, and then was promoted to the Madison Avenue site in Manhattan for 7 years.
John was drafted into the US Army and proudly served from 1956 to 1958.
He attended St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester, New York and was ordained on May 20, 1967, at the age of 33. His first mass was celebrated at his Alma Mater, St. Lucy’s Church. He served as a Parish Priest at St. Francis in Pulaski, at St. Margaret’s of Mattydale, St. James of the Valley, and Holy Cross in Dewitt. John served as Pastor of Most Holy Rosary in Syracuse, and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Liverpool. He was also a chaplain of the Knights of Malta and performed countless Anointing masses for healing of the sick. He proudly served as Chaplain for St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Dewitt Fire Department. Father retired after celebrating his 50th Jubilee.
John proudly honored his Irish background and served as the Divisional, New York State, and National Chaplain for the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies AOH. He was the Chaplain and founding member along with his good friend Nancy Duffy for the Syracuse St. Patrick’s Parade and served as its Grand Marshal in 1991.
John is predeceased by his late parents, John P. Ahern and Doris McGraw Ahern, his siblings Timothy, Thomas, Patrick, Daniel and Mary Theresa.
He is survived by his sister, Doreen (John) Drury, sisters-in-law, Catherine (Tim) Ahern, Gail (Tom) Ahern, and Carol (Pat) Ahern, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
John has performed numerous marriages, baptisms, first communions, house blessings, car blessings, Family Retreat Days, and Christmas Eve masses for his family. His devotion to the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Mother was deeply ingrained in all that he did.
We are celebrating Father Ahern at Holy Cross Church on Friday, January 3rd with calling hours from 9 am to 11 am; mass to follow at 11am and private burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Patrick Hunger Project; PO BOX 11775 Syracuse, NY 13218