A prominent Catholic priest in Sudbury has passed away.
Msgr. John Caswell died Sunday at Maison McCulloch Hospice, according to his obituary. He was 83.
Born in Smiths Falls and raised in his “beloved” North Bay, Caswell studied at St. Michael’s College in Toronto and St. Peter’s Seminary in London. He was ordained in 1962 in the Pro Cathedral in North Bay. His ministry began as an assistant at Precious Blood Church in Sault Ste. Marie.
“Msgr. John’s various ministries brought glory to God and enlightenment to His creation,” his obituary reads. “He skated with the Flying Fathers, brought liturgy to the sick and shut-ins, enjoyed the comraderie of the 'men-in-black”=' gatherings, and on a daily basis followed Jesus’ greatest commandment to love God and love your neighbour.
“He will be remembered for his wonderful wit and wisdom which will be cherished by all who knew him.”
He served in churches across the North, including Sudbury, starting at Christ the King Church in 1968 as an assistant. In 1974 he became an assistant at St. Patrick’s in Sudbury, working in communications for the Sudbury region
A year later, he served as chaplain to Radar Base in Falconbridge and St. Bernadine of Siena Mission in Skead as pastor.
In 1986, he became part-time assistant at Christ the King while remaining pastor in Skead and director of Cath-Com Productions until 2013. He held various other posts until he became pastor at Christ the King in 2002. Caswell retired in 2006, but remained on with communications, hosting the weekly televised “Mass for Shut-Ins” until 2012.
His funeral will take place in Christ the King Church on Friday at 10 a.m. Friends may call at the church 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, with prayers at 7:30 p.m.
Interment will be in the Priest’s Plot at St. Mary’s Cemetery in North Bay.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Maison McCulloch Hospice, St. Peter’s Seminary, London, or Finlandia Village SISU Foundation would be appreciated.
