Joseph McGinnity Obituary

As the year ends ... thinking of Father Joe ..the privilege was ours. He made it so much better for the rest of us....
ed m

I just discovered Fr. McGinnity passed away last April. I had the good fortune of knowing him while he was at St. Hiliary's in the 60's and I was a teenager. I know he will be missed.

As a student at Mother McAuley during the early 60s I was very privileged to be instructed by Fr. Joe.
He and his brother,Fr. Bob, were part of the my memories of our senior trip to the lodge at Eagle River in 1965. As the teen club moderator at St. Linus, he made sure we all had good and healthy experiences. Fr. Joe always sent my husband and me Christmas cards with his signature Irish blessing. I still have many of them. Fr. Joe had a profound effect on the development of my spiritual life. I miss him very much.

I had the great fortune of going to St. Zachary School for eight years while Fr. McGinnity was pastor. He is one of the most moral and dignified men I have ever known. He will always remain a significant role model in my life.
Thank You Father McGinnity!

Father Joe was a one of a kind design. All others pale,when held up to his model of priesthood.Pat Kata Czarnecki

Many wonderful memories as a student at Good Counsel High School (Class of 1970) and a Parishioner of St. Zachary Parish.
You will be missed.

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
May the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may the Lord hold you in the palm of his hand.

As a student at Good Counsel High School, I was privledged and blessed to have had Fr. McGinnity as a teacher. He guided and inspired more Counselites than he will ever know. I still have my "Irish Club" card and hold it dear with memories. To the McGinnity Family, our prayers are with you.
"What would the world do without the Irish!"
Jeanine (McCann) Coffman
Counselite Class '70

Father Joseph P. McGinnity was well remembered during his decade at St. Hilary Parish (1965-74). He was a fixture at our events and was responsible for the altar boys program. There were four Masses celebrated in our church during the weekdays and seven Masses on Saturdays and Sundays. How times have changed!

I remember how altar boys liked serving Mass for Father McGinnity. He was efficient and his homilies were brief and to the point. He also evaluated how newly selected altar boys were performing their tasks. Once I nudged another fifth grader during Mass. I was afraid that he had missed a verbal cue to bring a prayer book to Father McGinnity. Afterwards, in the vestry, Father was unhappy and asked us, "Why were you two punching each other during the Mass?" I explained and the matter was dropped, but I was embarrassed all the same.

Once a year, all of the altar boys were taken to see a baseball game in recognition of our volunteering our services. Those were the days!

St. Hilary was blessed to have Bishop Thomas Grady and a fine group of associate priests in residence during that era.

My sincere sympathies to the McGinnity family. I first met Father Joe at St. Linus teen club, then at Mother McCauley High School. He was always such a wonderful person and a real neat priest. I will never forget him and will remember him in my prayers.

My condolences to the family of Fr. McGinnity. He was a very spiritual man and a dear friend to me and my family. I appreciate all his years of spiritual guidance and his witty Irish humor. I was privileged to have attended St. Zachary School for eight years while Fr. McGinnity was Pastor and to have had him preside over my wedding in 1997. Rest in Peace Fr. McGinnity.

I was blessed to have known Fr. McGinnity as a student at Good Counsel back in 1969, and was privileged to have him officiate at my marriage 35 years ago. His Irish humor was legendary, but so was his witness for Christ. May he enjoy the banquet that is before him!

Dear Mc Ginnity Family,
I thought I was part of the McGinnity Family while growing up in Oaklawn. I used to talk to Father Joe's Mom and Aunt Dorothy on the phone. Kids today will never know the simple fun we had as Father McGinnity followed us home from teen club with his flashlight. He went through every human tragedy of mine, even sitting in an airport in LA. I am so blessed to have had him in my life. Most importantly he was truly a man doing God's work. He will be forever missed.
I wish I could be there to pay my respects and send my prayers to Father Bob and the Mc Ginnity Family.

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Fr. McGinnity. He was a wonderful pastor and we enjoyed the time he spent at St. Zachary's.

My deepest sympathy to the
McGinnity family.

Our deepest condolences to Father McGinnity's family

Felix, Eva and Roberta Paulauskis

Father Joe has been a very close family friend for well over 25+ years. He has touched the lives of so very many people and will truly be missed. God Bless all the McGinnity's.

Those of us from St. Linus who remember Fr. McGinnity -- especially us middle-aged "kids" -- bless him for his humor and understanding. Rest in peace and joy.

Our deepest sympathies to Fr. Bob on the death of your brother and best friend. We know that Joe cherished your relationship and so appreciated all the time you spent with him. How great to know that Joe is really with our loving Lord now and forever. We will keep you in our prayers as always. Love to you,
Len and Dee Kamenjarin

Joe,thanks for your friendship these past 64 years and being the Chrust like priest you are.

I have fond memories of Fr. McGinnity & was sorry to hear of his passing. I first met him as a student at Good Counsel H.S. & later asked him to say the Mass at my Wedding. He visited me years later at my 25th Anniversary & gave a special Blessing. We now have another angel in Heaven to watch over us.

My deepest sympathy to Fr. Bob and other members of the McGinnity family. I remember Joe well from Mundelein Seminary