Retired Bishop of Springfield Joseph F. Maguire died on Nov. 30 at the rectory of St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield. He was 95 and almost 70 years a priest.
He was born in Roxbury in the Mission Church Parish on Sept. 4, 1919. At St. Columbkille High School in Brighton and at Boston College, he was a star athlete in football, hockey and baseball.
He was ordained on June 29, 1945. From 1948 to 1960, he was parochial vicar at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Jamaica Plain. After leaving Jamaica Plain, his ministry included serving as secretary to Cardinal Cushing and Cardinal Medeiros; pastor in Quincy for one year; auxiliary bishop of Boston (1972-1976); and bishop of the Springfield diocese from 1977 to 1992.
A funeral Mass was held on Monday, Dec. 1 at St. Michael’s Cathedral.
Bishop Joseph F. Maguire (Courtesy Photo)