1873 – 1942 (November 29)
John Francis Meaney was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 29, 1873. While a boy, his family moved to Ardmore where he received his early education. He then entered the Prep School at Villanova and was received into the novitiate there on July 25, 1900. He professed simple vows the following year, and was ordained to the priesthood at the Overbrook Seminary Chapel by Bishop Predergast on May 31, 1905.
Father Meaney was assigned to Saint Mary’s Parish, Lawrence, Massachusetts, as assistant pastor and chaplain to the nearby orphan asylum. In January, 1908, he was transferred to Schaghticoke, and in June of the same year, to Mechanicville. In 1913 he was assigned briefly to Saint James Parish, Carthage, N.Y. and then again to Lawrence, at the Parish of Saint Laurence O’Toole.
At the Provincial Chapter of 1918, Father Meaney was elected a definitor and was assigned to the mission band. In 1920, he opened the Mission of San Luis Obispo in Colorado and served there until 1923. He then was named subprior at Saint Clare of Montefalco Parish, Chicago, and in 1929, prior and pastor of Saint Rita Parish, Chicago. In 1931, he was appointed prior and pastor at Saint Clare’s in Chicago, and in 1932 as pastor of Saint John’s in Schaghticoke, until 1941, when he was appointeed to Saint Patrick’s, Cambridge, New York.
Father Meaney died in McClellan Memorial Hospital at Cambridge on November 29, 1942, his 69th birthday. He is buried at Villanova in the community cemetery.
