Obituary of Rev. Msgr. J. Thomas Moran

Rev. Msgr. J. Thomas Moran, age 90, of Tonawanda, NY originally from Lockport, NY entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, January 11th, 2023, at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in Amherst, NY. Msgr. Moran was born on March 13th, 1932, in Lockport, NY. He is the son of the late Joseph T. and the late Elizabeth (Bessie Pritchard) Moran. Msgr. Moran graduated from St John’s School, Emmett Belknap and Lockport High School. He also graduated from the Little Seminary in Buffalo and Christ the King Seminary at St Bonaventure in Olean, NY receiving a BA in Philosophy. Msgr. Moran completed his four years of theological studies at the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, while living at the North American College. On December 15, 1957 he was ordained a Priest for the Diocese of Buffalo, by the Most Reverend Martin J. O’Connor in the Immaculate Conception Chapel of the North American College. Following his return to the United States in June 1958, he was appointed administrator to the Saint Francis Cabrini Church in Collins Center, NY. After one year, he was appointed assistant pastor of St Margaret’s Parish in Buffalo, NY, and also served as the Catholic Chaplain at Erie County Community College. In 1964, Msgr. Moran was appointed Secretary to Most Reverend Pius A Benincasa, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo. He served with Bishop Benincasa at Holy Name Parish in Buffalo and St Aloysius Parish in Cheektowaga for thirteen years. In January 1977, Msgr. Moran was appointed Pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Niagara Falls, NY. While there he served as the Moderator for the Rosary Crusade; the Moderator of the Local Council of Catholic Women; chaplain of the Fire Department; and the Faithful Friar of the Niagara Falls Assembly, Knights of Columbus. In 1981 Msgr. Moran was assigned as Co-Pastor of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Clarence, NY. In May of 1983 he was appointed Pastor of St Bernard’s Parish, Youngstown, NY. In 1989, he was honored by the Holy father, Pope John Paul II, and appointed a Domestic Prelate with the title of Reverend Monsignor. In 1990, Msgr. Moran became the first priest of the Diocese of Buffalo to be granted Affiliation to the Order of the Barnabite Fathers. Msgr. Moran was then appointed to a 2nd term at St. Bernard in Youngstown in 2007 and in 2015 he retired from priesthood after 65 wonderful years. Msgr. Moran was the head of the Rosary Crusade for 35 years, an avid bowler, golfer and sports fan. He loved the St Louis Cardinals and attended many social events over the years. Surviving is his sister, Shirley (late John) Nagel, also several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends, colleagues and parishioners. He is predeceased by his sisters and their spouses Clarita “ Dotty” (James) Calos, Mary Beth (Robert) O’Neil and Virginia (Timothy) Tracey, and late nephew and spouse Thomas (Joleen) Tracey. Visitation hours will be held on Tuesday, January 17th from 1-5 PM. at St. Bernard RC Church, Hinman & Second Streets., Youngstown, NY 14092. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, January 18th at St. John the Baptist RC Church, 168 Chestnut St., Lockport, NY with Principal Celebrate Bishop Michael W. Fisher officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Lockport following. Flowers are gratefully declined and Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements entrusted to Hardison Funeral Homes Inc. Lewiston. Please visit www.hardisonfuneralhomes.com.