Msgr. Joseph P. Joynes, a priest for almost 50 years in the Camden Diocese, died Saturday, Aug. 6 at the age of 75.
Msgr. Joynes served as an educator on the faculty at Camden Catholic , and as vocation coordinator at the school; and as principal at St. Joseph’s, Camden, and Paul VI, Haddon Township.
He was also pastor of several parishes, including St. James, Penns Grove (co-pastor 1976-81, and sole pastor 1981-84); St. Jude, Blackwood (1984-88); Holy Family, Washington Township (1988-98); and St. Thomas, Brigantine (1998-2001).
He retired in 2006, having served as senior priest at St. Gregory, Magnolia from 2001-06.
Father Robert Cairone was ordained with Msgr. Joynes in 1964, and became friends with him while the two were serving summer assignments, Msgr. Joynes at St. Paul and Father Cairone at Our Lady of the Angels, Cape May Court House. He recalled a “very kind, intelligent, laid-back priest” who “took his vocation very seriously; he lived up to it everyday.”
Father Cairone said that, in addition to his family and friends, Msgr. Joynes loved traveling, especially to the Jersey shore or Ireland, and his dog, Lady MacBeth.
Born in Philadelphia on July 5, 1936, Msgr. Joynes studied at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington, N.J.; and Mount St. Mary’s, Emmitsburg, Md., before being ordained on May 16, 1964 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Paul, Stone Harbor.
His other assignments included time on the diocesan Inter-Parochial Board; Priests’ Council; Priest Personnel Board; and Presbyteral Council.
Bishop Joseph Galante celebrated the funeral Mass Aug. 10 at Holy Family Church, Washington Township. Burial was at St. Joseph Cemetery in Chews Landing.