WEBSTER - Reverend Bernard F. Davenport, 61, Senior Priest at Saint Louis Parish, died Monday, August 16, at UMass Medical Center, Worcester, after an illness.
He leaves two brothers, John P. and his wife Anne Davenport of Lakewood, NJ, and Joseph W. Davenport of New York City; 2 nephews, 2 nieces, and 3 grandnieces. He was predeceased by two brothers, James and William Davenport.
He was born on August 25, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, a son of the late James and Margaret (O’Connor) Davenport. He graduated from John Jay High School in 1961 and then attended Brooklyn College. He worked for General Motors for 4 years.
Father Davenport began his studies for the priesthood at Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, CT, from 1965 to 1970, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He then attended the Theological College in Washington, DC, graduating in 1974 with a Bachelor of Sacred Theology Degree. He was awarded a Master of Arts Degree in Chaplaincy. He was ordained to the priesthood at his home parish, Holy Name Church in Brooklyn, by the late Bishop Timothy Harrington on March 23, 1974.
Father Davenport served as associate pastor at St. Brigid Church in Millbury from 1974 to 1976, and then at Saint Peter Church in Worcester from 1976 to 1979, when he was named full-time chaplain at UMass Medical Center, Worcester. He became the director of the Department of Pastoral Care there in 1989. He was named associate pastor at Saint Louis Parish in Webster in 1997, and then as senior priest there last December. He also served as the chaplain of the Former Mass. State Troopers Association.
The funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, August 23, in Saint Louis Church, 15 Lake Street, with the Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester, as the principal celebrant. The Most Rev. George E. Rueger, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester, will be the homilist. Burial will be in the clergy section of Saint John’s Cemetery, Worcester, at a later date. A calling period will be from 9:00 to 10:00 AM Monday, August 23, at the church. Charitable bequests in Fr. Davenport’s name may be made to either the Ministry to Retired Priests, c/o the Diocese of Worcester, 49 Elm St., Worcester, MA 01609, or to Saint Louis School Endowment Fund, 15 Lake Street, Webster, MA 01570.
Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School Street, is directing the funeral arrangements.