FRAMINGHAM, MA—Rev. James J. Hession, 70 years old, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston for 45 years, died Tuesday evening at St. Patrick’s Manor in Framingham, after a long illness.
He was born in Lowell, on March 3, 1933, a son of the late James J. and Mary G. (Daly) Hession, and was a graduate of Keith Academy, and a summa cum laude graduate of Merrimack College, North Andover. He attended St. John’s Seminary and was ordained on February 2, 1959, by Richard Cardinal Cushing.
Father Jim began his priestly service as a curate at St. Michael’s Parish in North Andover. This first assignment fulfilled his lifelong dream to be a parish priest. In later years, after studying at Louvain University, in Belgium, he became a Catholic Chaplain at the University of Lowell. At this point he became active in the ecumenical affairs of his hometown and reaped much joy in being close to his mother and his aunts in “the Acre.”
After a period of ill health in the 1980’s, he was assigned to St. Agnes Parish in Arlington, with Monsignor John Linnehan. A thriving community in Arlington, with a Senior Citizen House and a bustling Catholic High School, St. Agnes was where he ended his active priesthood and realized his desire to be “only a parish priest.” He oversaw the restoration of the church and was involved with all ages in the parish, with a special emphasis at Fideles House for Seniors. Although in poor health since 1993, he was a priest wherever he resided, at McLean Hospital, D’Youville House, in Cambridge, and finally at St. Patrick’s Manor, bringing comfort and blessings to all his fellow patients.
Surviving him are a sister: Mrs. Maurice (Ruth) Murphy, formerly of Greenland, NH and Portsmouth, NH; a niece: Jennifer, and her husband David Robison, of Charlestown; a nephew: Matthew Murphy, of Boston; and a grandniece: Adelaide Campbell Robison.
Friends may call from 2 until 5 PM on Sunday, February 1st, at the MAHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 187 Nesmith Street, (Rte. 38), Lowell . His Con-celebrated Funeral Mass to be offered Monday, February 2nd, at 11 AM at ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH, Lowell. Burial in St. Patrick Cemetery, Lowell. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the St. Patrick’s Manor; 863 Central Street; Framingham, MA 01701.