Rev. John Edward Horgan

SHREWSBURY-Rev. John Edward Horgan, 79, of the Southgate Community in Shrewsbury passed away Tuesday, March 10 in his home.

Father John E. Horgan was born Dec. 4, 1946, in Worcester, the son of John F. and Helen L. (Bergstrom) Horgan. He graduated in 1964 from St. Stephen High School, Worcester. He began studies for the priesthood at Mary-knoll Seminary, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, graduating in 1966. He continued studies from 1966 to 1972 at St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore.

He was ordained a priest May 5, 1972, in St. Stephen Church, Worcester, by Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan. He has been an associate pastor at the parishes of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Gardner; St. Anne, Shrewsbury; and Our Lady of Fatima, Worcester. He served in campus ministry at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and was associate pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish and Our Lady of the Angels Parish, both in Worcester. On Oct. 1, 1984, he was named pastor of St. John Parish, East Brookfield. On Oct. 6, 1989, he was appointed pastor of St. Mark Parish, Sutton. While at St. Mark’s, he supervised the expansion of the church, adding two wings which doubled the seating capacity of the church to 500, increased classroom space and added a 30-foot steeple. On Jan. 22, 1999, he was appointed pastor of St. Brigid Parish, Millbury. On July 1, 2006, he was appointed pastor of both St. Denis Parish, Ashburnham, and St. Anne Parish, South Ashburnham. He retired from active ministry on July 1, 2015.

He leaves his sister-in-law, Theresa E. Horgan, of Worcester. His loving caretakers, niece, Eileen Shea and nephew, Thomas E. Horgan of Worcester. Also, nephew, John F. Horgan and niece, Kathleen A Horgan of Worcester. Her cherished grandniece, Catherine V. Horgan Shea and grandnephew, Connor C. Shea both of Worcester and a great grandnephew, Carter William Chase. John was predeceased by his brother William F. Horgan, his sister, Mary Rita O’Loughlin and her husband, John P. O’Loughlin and his niece, Mary E. Horgan.

Visiting Hours will be held Thursday, March 19 from 5:00-7:00pm with a Vigil Service conducted at 7:00pm in Saint Christopher's Church, 950 West Boylston St., Worcester. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial with the Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, Principal Celebrant will be held Friday, March 20 at 11:00am in the church. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Diocese of Worcester, Priest Retirement Fund, 49 Elm St., Worcester, 01609. Arrangements in the care of Callahan Fay Caswell Funeral Home.