 |
||
Monsignor Dorney was preceded in death by his parents James Sr. and Ellen and his brother, William. Along with his nephews Daniel and Liam Dorney and their families, he is survived by members of his extended family including his cousins, the Cashman, Weathers and Smyth families in Ireland. Monsignor Dorney will be waked Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. in St. Peter's Church, 53 St. Mark's Place, New Brighton. A Mass of the Holy Eucharist will be celebrated there Friday at 7 p.m. by Bishop John O'Hara. Monsignor Peter Finn, pastor of Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, West Brighton, and co-vicar of Staten Island, will be the homilist. The funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's. Cardinal Timothy Dolan will be the principal celebrant and Bishop Dennis Sullivan will be the homilist. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton. Arrangements are being handled by the Harmon Home for Funerals, West Brighton.
|
||
The NYPD Emerald Society mourns the passing of Monsignor James Dorney age 83, on Monday October 26, 2015. He died suddenly while residing at the rectory of his beloved St. Peter RC Church in Staten Island. In recent years he was designated Pastor Emeritus as he continued his very active semi-retirement. Msgr. Dorney was well known to many of our Emerald Members and their families. Since the late 1990's he graciously hosted our Annual St. Patrick's Celebration in the church's Farrell Hall. For many years he would join our contingent of NYPD Marchers along the Forest Avenue parade route. Later on in the day, after he made his obligatory post parade visits he would return home to join the Emerald Party. He would be greeted like a rock-star as he walked through the crowded room. His charismatic personality was legendary in Staten Island where he literally had legions of people who truly loved him. Msgr. Dorney could be described in so many flattering words. He was a classic New Yorker, born of Irish immigrants parents in the Bronx. He went from a young impressionable altar boy to a renowned parish priest, all the while with a great devotion to his Catholic Faith. He was ordained a priest back in 1958 with assignments starting first in Manhattan and the Bronx. In 1976 he arrived at St. Margaret Mary Parish and that was the beginning of his remarkable vocation to Staten Island. In 1983 he moved on to St. Peter's where he really honed his skills as a multi-tasker and eventually to the prestigious position as Co-Vicar for the Island. As a secretary at the rectory once remarked, Monsignor Dorney just doesn't know how to say no. He never limited himself exclusively to the duties required of a pastor, he always went out of his way to help out for a worthy cause big or small. He served as a chaplain for the NYPD, AOH, K of C and the US Coast Guard. He provided guidance and made himself available to groups that assisted those in need, honored veterans, memorialized 9/11 victims and gave tribute to Irish history. It was amazing all the time he spent doing for others all while offering daily Masses, performing Sacraments and managing the Mother Church of Staten Island. Msgr. Dorney could light up a room and bring a smile to everyone's face utilizing his own infectious grin and famous Irish wit. Years back, two Emerald Board Officers met with him to discuss booking the church hall for the first time, for the March party. During the discussion Msgr. crossed his leg while sitting at his desk, inadvertently revealing a hole in the bottom of his worn shoe. He humbly explained he was very busy the prior two weeks, but he would soon go to a shoemakers shop to re-sole the old oxfords. He was never one to lead an extravagant life. His love for his parents' homeland, the Emerald Isle was well known. Fortunately about fifteen years ago he had the chance to fly to Ireland for a rare vacation. Shortly after his arrival he received terrible news, a young Staten Island Police Officer was killed in the line of duty. He immediately cut his trip short and made his way back across the Atlantic to comfort the Officer's distraught family. His life's work was committed to those in need, often when they were in their most difficult times. After the dreadful attack on September 11th there were many grueling and disheartening days for so many people. Many members of the NYPD spent countless hours working in the debris of Ground Zero during the months afterwards. Amid that troublesome time a couple of ESU cops happened to respond to a call near St. Peter's. Soon after completing the assignment and before returning to Brooklyn they paid a visit to the rectory. They were warmly greeted at the door by Msgr. They then went into his office and spoke for a while, Msgr. was not only a good speaker but also a very good listener. About an hour later with some of the burden they carried now lessened, the cops left and Msgr. Dorney went to offer Mass with special intentions for the cops. His warmth and understanding would always put people in a better way. He truly loved seeing all the young boys and girls at our Emerald party each March. Farrell Hall would be filled with music and laughter as young cops and retired old timers shared a great day. Bagpipes and Irish Step Dancers took turns on the dance floor and Msgr. Dorney would smile and reminisce about times like this when he was a kid living on Bailey Avenue in the Bronx. Enjoying some corned beef, Irish soda bread and tea while sitting at his favorite table, with former parishioners from his early days on the Island gave him a chance to relax and soak in the scene. Afterwards he would address the crowd, first he would thank all the cops for the good work they do keeping the city safe. He then would remind the Moms and Dads how important events like our annual party are, especially for the kids to see and learn about our Irish traditions. His only request was that the NYPD Emerald Society would return each year to Farrell Hall, where he would always welcome our group. Time and again he received a tremendous applause when he was done speaking. Later after his busy day he would slip away with an Irish goodbye and retreat to his residence. You can bet by the next day he was off to do some more good for others, it's what he always seemed to do. We hope his family here and in Ireland knows how special a person he was. God Bless Msgr. James Dorney an incredible and unforgettable New York Irish American Catholic Priest who will remain in the hearts of thousands.
 |
|||||||||||
