Father Thomas Stephen Tracey, 82, a priest of the Diocese of Camden for almost 50 years, died April 15.
He served as pastor at St. Jude Parish, Blackwood (1988-92); St. Lucy, Blue Anchor (1992-98); and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1998-2001), before retiring in 2001.
A native of Philadelphia, Father Tracey graduated from LaSalle College before entering the seminary, and studied at Our Lady of the Angels Seminary in Niagara, N.Y., and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa.
He was ordained a priest by Bishop Celestine J. Damiano in Camden on May 25, 1963, and his first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Augustine, Ocean City.
Father Tracey also served as Parochial Vicar at St. Bridget, Glassboro (1963-65, 1970-74); St. Francis de Sales, Barrington (1965-67); Most Holy Redeemer, Westville Grove (1967-70); Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Wildwood Crest (1974-78); St. Rose of Lima, Newfield (1978-82); St. Lawrence, Lindenwold (1982-85); and St. Aloysius, Oaklyn (1985-88).
Msgr. Edward Alleyne knew Father Tracey for over 50 years, and remembers frequent nights out to dinner with him, along with another priest; the three spent many years dining, praying together, and enjoying each other’s company. “He was a good man, quiet,” said Msgr. Alleyne, who noted Father Tracey’s love of gadgetry and electronics.
He was “a sincere, dedicated, hardworking priest,” said Father Albert Harshaw, who knew Father Tracey when the latter served as pastor at St. Lucy and Father Harshaw was chaplain at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital. “He enjoyed priestly fraternity, and spending time with family and friends.”
A viewing was to be held Friday, April 19 from 9-10:15a.m. at St. Martin of Tours Church, 5450 Roosevelt Boulevard, Philadelphia, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m..
Burial will immediately follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia.
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