Rev. Joseph Lowry

Father Joseph L, Lowry, 86, of, 124 Division Street, Salamanca, New York died Friday (July 4,2008) at the Absolute of Salamanca, New York

Born August 13, 1921 in Ellicottville, New York he was the son of the late Joseph and Eleonore Lowry.

Father Lowry was a graduate of Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. He attended the University of Notre Dame and did graduate work in Hispanic America History at St. Boaventure University. He attended Seminary in Rome at Pontifical Beda College and was ordained as a Catholic Priest, March 26, 1966 at St. Paul's Basillica by Amleto Cardinal Clcognani, Secretary of State to Pope Paul VI.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy serving as a Lieutenant with the Ampibious Forces in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He also served during the Korean Conflict.

Prior to being ordained as priest, Father Lowry was an executive with the National City Bank of New York in Brazil. He later worked with Pepsi-Cola International and Canada Dry International living abroad and traveling to over eight-five countries.

Fr. Lowry's first Mass took place in Beda Pontifical College, Rome on March 27, 1966.. He was a Missionary in the Republic of South Africa from 1966 thru 1969, Administrator at St. Isidore's East Otto, New York,(1966-1969), Assistant Immaculate Conception, Wellsville, New York (1970-1971), Assistant at St. Teresa's Buffalo, New York (1971-1974), Pastor at St. Monica's Buffalo, New York (1974-1981), Pastor, St. Mary's Little Valley, New York (1981-retiring in 1991). Since his retirement he has resided in Salamanca, New York and assisted in area churches including Our Lady of Peace (Holy Cross & St. Patricks) Salamanca, New York, St. Patricks, Limestone, New York and Holy Name of Mary, Ellicottville, New York. He served as Chaplain for the Erie County American Legion and the Cattaraugus County Jail and was Coordinator Region 7, Dioceses of Buffalo, from 1977-1980. He was a member of the American Legion Post 721-South Buffalo, New York VFW John Ahrens Post 5296, Salamanca, New York, a former member of the VFW Post 8734, Little Valley, New York, Holiday Valley Golf Club, Landing Craft Tanks Association, Landing Ship Medium Association and Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity.

Friends may call on Wednesday (July 9, 2008) at Our Lady of Peace (Holy Cross Church) Salamanca, New York from 2:00 - 8:00 P.M. and on Thursday (July 10, 2008) at Holy Name of Mary, Ellicottville, New York from 2:00 - 8:00 P.M. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday (July 11, 2008) at Holy Name of Mary Church, Ellicottville, New York with the Most Rev. Edward M. Grosz presiding. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Ellicottville, New York. Donations may be made to Catholic Church Extension Society of the United States, 150 South Wacker Drive 20th Floor Chicago Ill 60606. The O'Rourke & O'Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York is in charge of funeral arrangements

E-condolences may be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com