Monsignor James M. Kissane Memorial Unveiled at Hibernian Hall in Babylon

Family, friends and colleagues joined with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. Patrick’s Division 2 at Hibernian Hall in Babylon to remember Monsignor James M. Kissane.  His family assisted with the unveiling of a memorial inscribed with the words “In Loving Memory of our Chaplain Msgr. James M. Kissane; Born June 29, 1965; Ordained May 30, 1992; Died Dec. 16, 2009; His life was a heritage of love; May his spirit live forever.”  The unveiling took place on June 29, 2011 and was followed by a blessing and celebration of Holy Mass.

Monsignor Kissane passed away at age 44 from cancer. He was fondly remembered at the memorial for his dedication, his openness, his ability to communicate and to connect with people, his omnipresent smile, and his wonderful way of preaching the gospel and making analogies with every day life that resonated with both the young and old.

Monsignor Kissane was born in the Bronx, grew up in North Babylon and attended St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip.  He went to Cathedral College Minor Seminary in Douglaston, and then Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington.  He was ordained as a priest in 1992.

Monsignor Kissane served as Chaplain to the Suffolk County Police Department for a decade.  He also served the parish of St. John of God in Central Islip, the Central Islip Fire Department and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.  Monsignor Kissane was also a Board Member at Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation, which raises money for scholarships for local students.

He is survived by his mother and father, Sheila and James P. Kissane, his brother John, and two sisters, Sheila and Mary Ann.

Photograph from left to right:  Charles Spencer, Spencer-Boyd Funeral Home; Mr. James Kissane; Owen H. Johnson, Senator; Mrs. Sheila Kissane; Ralph Scordino, Mayor, Babylon Village; Kevin Muldowney, Trustee, Babylon Village, and Member of AOH Division 2 Babylon Hibernaians; and Leo Murphy, Member of the AOH Division 2 Babylon Hibernians.