The Reverend Monsignor John J. Farley, a Roman Catholic priest for more than 62 years in the Archdiocese of New York, entered into eternal life peacefully on January 22, 2025. 

Monsignor Farley was born on December 13, 1936, in Manhattan and grew up with his large extended family in the Bronx. He was predeceased by his parents, Winifred (née Beirne) and John Farley, and is survived by his sisters, Patricia Hyland of Saugerties and Carol Ann Kiernan of Mint Hill, North Carolina, and his nephews, John Kiernan of Fort Myers, Florida, Michael Kiernan of Somers, and Robert Kiernan of Caldwell, New Jersey, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

His spiritual life and tireless commitment to the communities he served impacted countless lives. His memory will be cherished by his family and all those who knew him.

His academic journey began at Cathedral Seminary and St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie. He earned several Masters degrees from both Fordham University and Columbia University.  He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on June 2, 1962, and was named a Monsignor in 1995. During the Vietnam War, Father Farley volunteered with the Navy Chaplain Corps. He retired in 1969 with the rank of Lieutenant in the US Naval Reserve.

He served in the Archdiocese of New York’s Superintendent of Schools office and was a faculty member at Cathedral Prep Seminary in Manhattan, Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie, and Bishop DuBois High School in Manhattan.

He was a parochial vicar at St. Raymond’s Parish in the Bronx and St. Aloysius Parish in Harlem.

He was associate director of Trinity Retreat in Larchmont from 1979 to 1983, spiritual director of Cathedral College in Douglaston from 1983 to 1987, and pastor of St. Peter’s Parish in Rosendale from 1987 to 1994.  

He was on the faculty of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie from 1994 to 1998 and the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio from 1998 to 2000.

He was pastor of St. Margaret of Cortona Parish in Riverdale from 2000 to 2006.  His ministry to the St. Margaret of Cortona community, especially firefighters and their families, after the September 11 attacks was one of the most meaningful chapters in his life of service to others.

Monsignor Farley’s last parish role was as parochial vicar for three years at St. Columba’s Parish in Hopewell Junction from 2006 until 2009.  He then served as chaplain at Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie until he retired from pastoral duties in 2011. During retirement, he relocated to the Cardinal O’Connor Clergy Residence in the Bronx and served as a chaplain at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx until 2020.  

RECEPTION OF THE BODY AND WAKE ⦁ LYING IN REPOSE