Reverend Monsignor John A. Sharkey, Pastor Emeritus, Old Saint Mary's Parish, Philadelphia, died at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, Darby, on Wednesday, December 14, 2011.

Monsignor Sharkey was born on October 7, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late John Anthony Sharkey and the late Helen Cronin. Monsignor Sharkey attended Illman Elementary School, Saint Leonard Academy Parochial School, Waldron Elementary School, Saint Joseph's College High School, and the University of Pennsylvania, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Monsignor Sharkey was ordained on May 10, 1956, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, by Most Reverend John F. O'Hara, C.S.C., and named Honorary Prelate of His Holiness Pope John Paul II on April 24, 1982. Monsignor Sharkey served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Vincent De Paul Parish, Minersville; Saint Edmond Parish, Philadelphia; and Saint Martin of Tours Parish, Philadelphia. He served on the Faculty at Monsignor Bonner High School, Drexel Hill; Bishop McDevitt High School, Wyncote; and Cardinal O'Hara High School, Springfield. He also served as Principal at Bishop McDevitt High School, Wyncote. Monsignor Sharkey served as Rector at Villa Saint Joseph, Darby. He also served as Parochial Administrator and Pastor, Resurrection of Our Lord Parish, Philadelphia. In December 1989, Monsignor Sharkey was appointed Pastor, Old Saint Mary's Parish, Philadelphia, and was named Pastor Emeritus in June 2004.

The Reception of the Body will be held at Presentation B.V.M. Church, Wynnewood, on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at 9:00 AM, followed by a viewing. Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Monsignor Sharkey at Presentation B.V.M. Church, Wynnewood, on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at 11:00 AM. Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald, Reverend Monsignor James F. Connelly, Reverend Monsignor Paul F. Curran, and Reverend Monsignor James P. McBride. Bishop Fitzgerald will be the homilist.

Monsignor Sharkey is survived by his sister Helen, his brothers Joseph and William, and nieces and nephews. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747