- Date Of Birth: October 9, 1924
- Date Of Death: July 23, 2010
- State: Maine
Brunswick and Calais – The Rev. Richard Michael McGarrigle went home to be with our Lord on July 23, 2010 in Brunswick after a brief illness. He was born on October 9, 1924, to John Philip “Phil” and Dora Mildred (Purcell) McGarrigle, Sr. of Calais.
He was a graduate of the Immaculate Conception Convent School and Calais Academy”s Class of 1941. He attended St. Thomas College in Chatham, N.B., and, upon graduation, entered St. Mary”s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland.
He was ordained by Bishop Daniel Feeney on June 11, 1949 and his first assignment was as parochial vicar at Holy Name Church in Machias during the summer of 1949 and then at St. Athanasious Parish in Rumford from 1949 to 1950. He was chaplain at St. Ann”s Parish in Pleasant Point and St. Ann”s, Peter Dana Point, from 1950 to 1954 before moving to St. Mary”s in Houlton where he became parochial vicar and administrator from 1954 to 1966 when he became pastor of St. Thomas Parish in Dover-Foxcroft, for two years. In 1968 he became the founding pastor of St. Bartholomew”s Church in Cape Elizabeth. He was appointed pastor of St. Joseph”s Church in Portland from 1975 to 1977 and then transferred to St. Mary”s Parish in Bath from which he retired in 1994.
In addition, Fr. McGarrigle served on diocesan boards and committees, including but not limited to: priest-Coordinator for, and later as a Consultant to, Charismatic Renewal; Clergy Benefit Board, Board of Trustees; Diocesan Ecumenical Commission, member and consultant; Priest Personnel Board, elected member; Chaplain a” Sacred Heart Circle of the Daughters of Isabella; Chaplain a” Sagadahoc Council of the Knights of Columbus; Vicar Forane (Dean) of South Cumberland Deanery (1973-76) and of Sagadahoc & Lincoln Deanery (1985-1994).
Although, Fr. McGarrigle retired from full-time parish ministry and administration in 1994, he continued to provide ministry as a retired priest for many years.
Fr. McGarrigle was predeceased by his parents; his brother, John P. “Jack” McGarrigle, Jr. sister-in-law Elsie ,and their son Richard.
Fr. McGarrigle will be missed by his sisters Doreen Hill and Marie McGarrigle both of Calais, by a very special family member Peggy Sullivan of Brunswick, and by his nieces and nephews; Rita (Hill) Yardley and her husband Shawn and their children Josh, Shane and wife Eileen, Jeremy, Megan, Kiana, Kira, and Tessa; John Hill and his daughters Courtney and Allie; Michael Hill and his wife Debbie and their daughters Stephanie and Carina; Susan (McGarrigle) Esposito and her daughter Kathleen; Diane (McGarrigle) Hunnewell and her husband Avery and their daughter Bridget.
