Obituary of Peter Bagley

<p>The death of Rev. Peter Francis Bagley, a priest of the Diocese of Saint John, occurred on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Father Bagley was born in Norton, NB, son of the late Carroll and Helen (Hemsworth) Bagley. After attending local schools, he studied at Teachers College in Fredericton and then taught five years at Simonds Junior High School, Saint John and Norton Superior School, Norton. He then pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree at St. Thomas University, Chatham. Upon graduation, he entered Holy Heart Seminary in Halifax to prepare for the priesthood. He was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on May 14, 1967. He served as associate pastor at Holy Rosary Parish, Minto, Holy Trinity Parish, St. Pius X Parish and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Saint John and St Michael's Parish, Chatham. He then served as pastor at St. Michael's Parish, Chatham, at St. Gertrude's Parish, Woodstock, at St. Andrew's Parish, St. Andrews, at Holy Rosary Parish and St. Stephen Parish, St. Stephen and at St Francis Xavier Parish, Sussex and his native parish, Sacred Heart, in Norton. After his retirement in 2003, he continued to assist priests in all corners of the diocese. In addition to his parish work, Father Bagley also completed a Master of Arts in Liturgy at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, and served the diocese as Chair of the Diocesan Liturgy Commission, as Spiritual Director of the Saint John Diocesan Council of the Catholic Women's League, as a member of the Council of Priests, as a member of the College of Consultors and as a member of several other committees. Father Bagley was loved and respected by all. He will be particularly remembered for his kindness to people, for his deep love and devotion to church music and to all those&nbsp; who gave of themselves to it and for the mentorship of many priests of this diocese.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Father Bagley is survived by his brothers Michael (Theresa) of Barrie, ON and William (Gail) of Norton, his aunt Marie Harmer of London, ON and a great number of cousins.</p> <p>Father Bagley will be resting at the Cathedral Residence, 91 Waterloo Street, on Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 and on Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00. His remains will then be translated to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for Solemn Vespers at 7:00 pm Wednesday. Visitation will continue in the Cathedral afterwards. His Funeral Mass&nbsp; will be celebrated in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Thursday, October 24 at 12:10 pm followed by interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Norton. A reception will follow the burial in Norton.&nbsp; Arrangements are entrusted to Fitzpatrick&rsquo;s Funeral Home 100 Waterloo Street (634-1965)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>