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Joseph Thomas O'Keefe

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Joseph Thomas O'Keefe
Bishop emeritus of Syracuse
In office1987-1995
Orders
OrdinationApril 17, 1948
ConsecrationSeptember 8, 1982
by Cardinal Terence Cooke
Personal details
Born(1919-03-12)March 12, 1919
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedSeptember 2, 1997(1997-09-02) (aged 78)
St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
DenominationRoman Catholic
ParentsMichael and Bridget (née O'Sullivan) O'Keefe
Coat of armsJoseph Thomas O'Keefe's coat of arms

Joseph Thomas O'Keefe (March 12, 1919 – September 2, 1997) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Bishop of Syracuse from 1987 to 1995.

Biography

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Joseph O'Keefe was born in New York City to Michael and Bridget (née O'Sullivan) O'Keefe.[1] He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of New York on April 17, 1948.[2] During his priestly ministry, he served as a curate at St. Luke's Church and biology instructor and dean at Cardinal Hayes High School in The Bronx.[1] He also taught biology at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry and at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers.[1] He was Secretary for Education and associate superintendent of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese, chancellor and vicar general, and pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Manhattan.[1]

On July 3, 1982, O'Keefe was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of New York and Titular Bishop of Tres Tabernae by Pope John Paul II.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on the following September 8 from Cardinal Terence Cooke, with Archbishop John Joseph Maguire and Bishop Harold Robert Perry, S.V.D., serving as co-consecrators, at St. Patrick's Cathedral.[2]

Upon the resignation of Bishop Francis James Harrison, O'Keefe was named the eighth Bishop of Syracuse on June 16, 1987.[2] He was installed at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on the following August 3.[2] After reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, he resigned as bishop on April 4, 1995.[2]

O'Keefe died from heart failure at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center, Syracuse, New York, aged 78.[3][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Most Rev. Joseph T. O'Keefe". Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse. Archived from the original on 2009-06-09.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Bishop Joseph Thomas O'Keefe". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.[self-published source]
  3. ^ "PRIESTS, PAUPERS LOSE A FRIEND AND BISHOP RETIRED BISHOP JOSEPH T. O'KEEFE DIES AT 78". The Post-Standard. 1997-09-03.
  4. ^ Pace, Eric (September 5, 1997). "Joseph T. O'Keefe, 78, Bishop of Syracuse" – via NYTimes.com.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Syracuse
1987–1995
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Auxiliary Bishop of New York
1982–1987
Succeeded by