Rev. J. Barry Furey, Pastor 1998 to 2011

Father Barry - Rest in Peace

Darien Times Obituary      Memorial Mass      Diocese of Bridgeport

Rev. J. Barry Furey 1945-2012

Father J. Barry Furey passed away suddenly of a heart attack on June 27, 2012, while starting a vacation in New Jersey. He was 67. He is survived by a brother who lives in California.

Father Furey was received on Monday, July 2, at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Fairfield, where he was serving as Pastor when he died. He lay in state until the parish Mass celebrated that evening by Father Joseph Sidera, C.S.C. The homilist was Deacon Roland Blier. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated the following day by Monsignor Jerald Doyle, Administrator of the Diocese of Bridgeport. Interment was in the priest’s circle at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull.

A Memorial Mass for Father Furey was held at Saint Thomas More Church on Saturday, September 22. The celebrant was Father Murphy. The homilist was Deacon Roland Blier. A Reception followed in the Parish Hall. Father Furey was the second pastor of Saint Thomas More Parish,from 1998-2011. It was a poignant celebration of his life, reflecting our hope in the Resurrection and expressing our gratitude for his loving service during his years of priesthood. The many parishioners from Saint Thomas More Parish who attended the Funeral and Memorial Mass gives testimony to our parish’s appreciation of Fr. Furey’s leadership here as Pastor.

Father Furey was appointed the second pastor of Saint Thomas More Church by Bishop Edward Egan on January 2, 1998, and served in that capacity for 13 years. He was appointed pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish by Bishop Lori on February 1, 2011.

“The news comes as a great shock and loss to his brother priests, Our Lady of Assumption Parish, and to the entire diocese,” said Monsignor Jerald Doyle, Diocese of Bridgeport administrator. “Father Furey was beloved by many for his natural affability, his kindness, and his love for the life of the priest. He radiated a sense of joy and happiness in his vocation and a deep faithfulness that touched the lives of so many of the people he ministered to in his various assignments.”

Father Furey was a musician gifted with a beautiful singing voice. He sometimes accompanied his sermon with a song. "I was a senior in College in the Seminary in the fall of 1966," says Father Furey. "I took ill in September and a cold went into a bad case of pneumonia. I almost died and was in the hospital for a month and then home for two and a half months for rest. When I realized how close I had come to death, I started to write the words which became a song Thank You Lord."

Thank you lord for loving me. Thank you Lord for my eyes that see. Thank you for all the things You've done. Thank you Lord for everyone. Thank you for the birds that sing your sweet song. Thank you for your love that conquers over wrong. And for all the times I was too blind to see, that your love was coming after me.

Thank you for the friendly smiles that come my way. Thank you for the cheerful words that people say. And in hours when I am feeling blue, It's then I know your love will always see me through. And for all the people gathered here today, as we've lifted up our voices joined to pray. That we all realize the dignity that lies within our brotherhood to Thee.

During his 13-year tenure at Sant Thomas More, Father Furey continued the popular Children's Mass. Under Father Furey's leadership, the parish also expanded its social service programs to the community by supporting area soup kitchens, continuing the building project in Appalachia, and reaching out the the elderly and poor through various projects.

Father Furey was born June 11, 1945, a native of Trenton, New Jersy. He did his early schooling at Immaculate Heart Grammar School in Baltimore, Maryland, and Saint Paul's Grammar School in Ramsey, New Jersey. He attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School in South Orange, New Jersey. He studied at Seton Hall Divinity School in South Orange and is an alumnus of Saint Francis Seminary in Loretto, Pennsylvania, where he received a Masters of Divinity degree.

Father Furey was ordained by the late Bishop Walter W. Curtis at Saint Augustine Cathedral on May 15, 1971.

After ordination, Father Furey served several parishes as Parochial Vicar, including: Saint Catherine Church in Trumbull, Saint Joseph Church in Brookfield, Sacred Heart Church in Stamford, and Saint Jerome Church in Norwalk. In addition, Father Furey served as Administrator at Saint Joseph Church in Brookfield, Our Lady of Fatima Church in Wilton, and also briefly in Norwalk. Father Furey was appointed Pastor of Saint Andrew Church in Bridgeport in July of 1989 by Bishop Edward Egan. While at Saint Andrew Church, Father Furey served as Fire Department Chaplain and for five years as Pastor and President of the Bridgeport Catholic Elementary School System. He served as a member of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, as a diocesan consultor from 1981 to 1983.

Father Furey was installed in the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre in September of 2000. Father Furey served as a member of the Clergy Personnel Committee from 2002 to 2007. He served on the Clergy Steering Committee for the Bishop's Appeal, and Pastor President of the Stamford Regional School System.