Msgr. Robert F. McCormick, of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of N.Y. and former pastor of St. Augustine’s Church in Ossining, died Sept. 23 at the Convent of St. Birgitta in Darien, where he was the resident chaplain for the past 19 years. He was 95.
Msgr. Robert F. McCormick died Sept. 23 at the age of 95.
Raised in New Rochelle, Msgr. received a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University before entering Dunwoodie Seminary.
Upon ordination in 1947, Msgr. McCormick served at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Chapel, at the Military Academy at West Point, for 28 years. In 1975 he was appointed pastor at St. Augustine’s Church in Ossining, N.Y. and was elevated to Monsignor during his tenure there.
After arriving, he learned that the State of New York intended to widen Rt. 9 which would negatively impact the church and school. Through the support of a hard working committee, Msgr. McCormick was instrumental in raising funds to purchase land that had housed a private Catholic school for girls overlooking the Hudson. In 1990, his vision for a new church was realized when a neo-gothic church was consecrated on the site.
After retiring in 1994, Msgr. McCormick assisted at Resurrection Church in Rye, N.Y., and Holy Redeemer in Palm City, Fl. In 1997, he became the chaplain at the Convent of St. Birgitta in the Tokeneke section of Darien.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Church in Ossining on Friday, Sept. 30 at 10 am, with visitation at 9 a.m. A wake will be held on Sept. 29 at St. Augustine’s School from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Convent of St. Birgitta.