Reverend John W. McElroy and his twin brother, Thomas were born in Norwood, MA, sons of the late Charles A. and Lillian D. McElroy, on November 29, 1930. After attending Boston College, he entered St. John's Seminary in Brighton, MA, and was ordained to the priesthood on February 2nd, 1956. His first parish assignment was Sacred Heart Church, Newton Center, MA. In 1961, Fr. McElroy was commissioned into the United States Navy Chaplain Corps and was subsequently assigned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego, CA. In 1962, upon completion of his tour at MCRD, Fr. McElroy deployed aboard ship to the Western Pacific with PHIBRON 3. In 1963, he was released from the active-duty Navy and returned to the Archdiocese of Boston where he was assigned to St. Timothy's Church in Norwood, MA. In 1967, he was recalled to the active-duty Navy and immediately deployed for a 12-month tour with the 3rd Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam. He subsequently spent the next 24 years of his active-duty Navy career in various assignments ministering to the spiritual needs of Navy and Marine Corps personnel. Among notable duty stations, he served aboard the last of the heavy cruisers in the Navy, the USS Newport News (CA-148) for three years which included a second tour in Vietnam. He was the first Force Chaplain for the Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet, and his final tour of duty was as Command Chaplain, Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, FL, where he retired as a Captain in July of 1991. Returning to the Archdiocese of Boston, Fr. McElroy served on the Emergency Response Team until 1995, when he was assigned as pastor of St. Michael's Church, Avon, MA. After five years at St. Michael’s he retired in October of 2000 and relocated to Palm Coast, FL. There, he was assigned as a weekend associate at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church as well as offering Mass as needed in various parishes throughout the Diocese of Saint Augustine.
During his military service, Fr. McElroy was the recipient of numerous awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star (with Combat V device), the Purple Heart, and the Combat Action Ribbon. Fr. McElroy has been predeceased by his parents Charles and Lillian McElroy as well as his older brother, Charles and twin brother, Thomas. He is survived by his nephew, John McElroy of Virginia Beach, VA; nephew, Michael and wife Tracey McElroy and family of Natick, MA; and his nephew, William McElroy of Westwood, MA.
Family and friends will be received Tuesday, April 23rd from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 4600 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast FL 32164. A Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Fr. McElroy will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, April 24th at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Palm Coast. Military honors will be rendered immediately following the Funeral Mass.
In remembrance of Fr. McElroy’s dedication to his priestly vocation, the family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to:
Sisters of Mercy
@ Sister Enda Egan
4250 A1A South, Unit B12
St. Augustine FL 32080-7429
Condolences may be sent to the McElroy family by visiting www.CraigFlaglerPalms.com
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