Rev. James T. Lowery, M.S., 85, a Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette, 85 New Park Avenue, died Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at St. Mary Home in West Hartford, CT. He was born August 19, 1929 in Dunmore, PA, son of the late James and Anna (Duffy) Lowery. He graduated from the Laurel Hill Academy in Susquehanna, PA and attended the University of Scranton for one year before entering the Novitiate of the Missionaries of La Salette in Bloomfield, CT in 1948. Father made his first profession of vows on September 8, 1949 and after completing his studies at La Salette Seminary in Ipswich, MA, he was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1955 at St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Norwood, MA. Father studied at Boston College and at Trinity College in Hartford and earned a M.Ed. degree from Boston College in 1956. After ordination he taught at the La Salette Seminary in Hartford, CT. In 1961 he was assigned to the La Salette Seminary in Cheshire where he taught Latin and coached the basketball team. In 1964, his team won the Class C State Basketball Championship. An avid interest in sports remained with him throughout his life. After assisting at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, in Berkley, Michigan in 1966, Father returned to Connecticut and served as Assistant Pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Hartford, where he established the parish's Hispanic ministry. He was elected Provincial Assistant in 1970. When his term ended in 1973, he volunteered for the Missions in Argentina, where he labored enthusiastically for almost 30 years. While in Argentina, he was able to fulfill his dream of building a church in one the poorest areas of La Banda. After his return to the States, Father was appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Anne/Immaculate Conception Parish in Hartford, where he continued his ministry with the Hispanic community. He was named Pastor of the parish in 2002 and ministered there until his retirement to Hartford House in 2004. For a time, he continued parish ministry on a part-time basis. This year he celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination.
In addition to his La Salette confreres, Father Lowery is survived by his cousins, Mrs. Lorraine Cusick Morgan of Scranton, PA and Mrs. Elizabeth Gardner of Binghamton, NY. He is also survived by many good friends, including David Kane of Binghamton, NY and the O'Boyle and Dawson families of CT.
Most Rev. Peter Rosazza will preside at the Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated on Monday, June 29, 2015 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 79 New Park Avenue, Hartford at 10:30A.M. Interment will follow at Mount St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield. Calling hours will be from 9:15 to 10:15A.M., preceding the Funeral Mass. Contributions in Father Lowery's memory may be made to: Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette Retirement Fund, 915 Maple Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114-2330. To share a memory with the Community or family, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com.