Obituary of Rev. John F. Meade, S.M.

Rev. John F. Meade, S.M. Ret Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force, 79 died early Friday morning at St. Elizabeth’ s Hospital, Boston, following a period of illness. Born in Beachmont, he was the son of the late Frederick and Margaret (Murrill) Meade. He lived in Peabody for most of his youth and graduated from Peabody High School, class of 1941. He later attended Marist Preparatory Seminary in Bedford from 1941 - 1945, Marist Novitiate in Staten Island, NY from 1945 - 1946 and received his Perpetual Vows on September 8, 1946. He continued on to Marist College in Framingham from 1946 - 1953 and on July 25, 1953 Bishop McKenzie at Our Lady of Victories Church, Boston, ordained him. His first Mass was on July 26, 1953 at St. Ann’ s Church in Peabody. His early work was as vocational recruiter for the Marist Fathers and Brothers. He then served as military Chaplain for the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1982. In later years he served in many Parishes, and the last parish he served was Mt. Carmel in Methuen. In 1985 he started his annual Pilgrimages to the Canadian Shrine which he did for 16 years. He has spent the last few years of retirement at Our Lady of Victories Church in the South End of Boston. He is survived by 3 sisters, Madeline Meade of Oregon, Mary Leary of Belmont, and Jean Meade of Peabody; 4 nieces, Mary Whitehead, of Ballwin, MO., Jo-Ann Phelps of Merced, CA., Patricia McGrath of Stoughton, Jeanne Leary of Arlington; 3 nephews, James Leary of Burlington, Arthur Leary of Reading, and John Leary of Ashland, and also many grand nieces, nephews, and cousins and may friends. Fr. Meade will lie-in-state on Monday from 5-9 PM in St. Ann’ s Church, 136 Lynn St., Peabody to which relatives and friends are invited to attend. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11:00 AM at St. Ann’ s Church, Peabody with his cousin Rev. James Riley the main Celebrant along with his cousin Fr. John Lizio and Marist Priests. Burial will be in St. Joseph’ s Cemetery, Lynn. In lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to the Third Order of Mary, 27 Isabella St., Boston, MA 02116-5216.