Msgr. Martin Joseph Mannion, known by many as Father Joe, died Oct. 20 at age 87.
“He was solid in prayer and faith, with a firm foundation,” Msgr. William Quinn, a retired priest of the Diocese of Camden, said of his longtime friend.
Over their 60-plus years of fellowship in faith and ministry, the two “walked the Emmaus journey together, recognizing Jesus in our lives, and sharing His Resurrection with the people,” Msgr. Quinn recalled.
Born Dec. 11, 1937, in County Mayo, Ireland, Father Mannion entered Saint Patrick’s Seminary in Carlow in 1956 – the same time as Msgr. Quinn. They were ordained to the priesthood together June 9, 1962, at Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Carlow.
In August of that year, they were among a group of five priests from the Emerald Isle to leave their homeland by boat, and make their way to the Diocese of Camden.
“He was compassionate, caring, gentle to all, with a good sense of humor,” Msgr. Quinn remembered of his friend.
Msgr. Mannion – who also earned a master’s degree from La Salle University in Philadelphia in 1972 – served as a parochial vicar in three Camden parishes: Saint Bartholomew, Saint Joan of Arc and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. He was also parochial vicar at Saint Edward, Pine Hill; Saint Veronica, Delair; and Saint Isidore, Vineland, before becoming pastor at Saint John in Collingswood, a position he held for nearly 30 years.
His contributions to Catholic education included serving as guidance director for Camden Catholic High School (1967 – 1978), and Sacred Heart (1978 – 1981). He also served on the Diocese’s Vocation Advisory Board.
He retired in 2010.
Msgr. Mannion was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Winifred, and his siblings Harry, Peggy, Herbert, Sean, Dermot, Mary, Thomas and Evelyn. He is survived by his siblings Irene, Jarlath, Maretta and Monica. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
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