Longtime Enfield Priest Passes Away

ENFIELD, CT - On Sept. 16, 2011, Father Francis Kerwan received the thrill of a lifetime.

The pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in Enfield since its inception in 1965, Fr. Kerwan had a birthday surprise when two deacons from the parish took him to Boston via limousine for a Red Sox game against Tampa Bay.

Not only did Fr. Kerwan get to enjoy a 4-3 Red Sox win (one of the last bright moments for the team, who went 3-9 following that game and missed the American League playoffs), but in mid-game, the following message appeared on the giant center field scoreboard at Fenway Park:

"The Red Sox wish Rev. Francis Kerwan a happy 95th birthday"

In an interview with Enfield Patch shortly after that exciting event, Fr. Kerwan addressed the subject of his inevitable retirement by saying he hopes to be remembered this way: "He was a good priest, a good pastor, a good lector, he served us well and we enjoyed him."

Parishioners and friends are saying exactly that on social media Wednesday after the church posted word of the retired priest's passing at age 99.

"May you rest in peace with the angels above Father Kerwan," wrote Mary Senatore. "I can't even begin to say how much he meant to our family. He was at every wedding, baptism, holy communion, confirmation, the Fair, church gatherings not to mention all the behind the scene visits no one ever knew about. Always the quick wit. On our wedding day 38 yrs ago i was completely shaking nervous on the alter, He looked at me and looked at Dave, grinned, and then started singing low ...a little white duck sitting in the water, a little white duck doing what he outta, come on sing with me. I still smile when I think about that! I will never EVER forget you kind sir."

Megan Ceppetelli wrote, "RIP Father Kerwan. I will never forget the Sunday morning Mass always able to make the time go by fast with your sense of humor. It feels like it was just yesterday that I got my first communion and confirmation. Crazy how fast time goes. You will be missed by many people. My prayers are with you and your family."

"We love Father Kerwan and he will be greatly missed," wrote Vicki Dean. "He founded our wonderful church and created a loving environment. I know God called him home on this Holy Week to stand by his side."

He finally retired in 2013 after 48 years of service, but remained as pastor emeritus.

The kindly priest always maintained a terrific sense of humor, even in regards to false rumors of his passing nearly three years ago to the day.

The Waterbury native was ordained in 1943, and shortly thereafter began his first of two tours of duty in wartime, spending two years with the 5th Air Force in the Pacific, mainly in Japan.

In 1950, he joined the National Guard 43rd Division, and spent three years in Germany at a time when the Russians had blockaded Berlin.

Returning to Connecticut in 1953, Fr. Kerwan spent a dozen years working in Naugatuck and Hartford, before the Archdiocese assigned him to a newly-formed parish in southern Enfield.

"Leger Starr was building thousands of homes selling for $10,500, and the price attracted many young families," he said in 2011.

In the beginning, the parish had no home of its own.

"The Board of Education allowed us to say Mass in the auditorium of Enfield High School," he recalled in 2011. He led fundraising efforts to construct a building, which was dedicated in 1968. The congregation, which began with about 1,000 families, quickly grew to more than 3,000.

Many of those original families have continued to worship at Holy Family.

"It's exciting serving the third generation of parishioners here," Fr. Kerwan said in 2011, adding he had a couple ask him to renew their vows on their 25th anniversary, with their children and parents in attendance.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed.

File photo credit: Tim Jensen