Rev. James P. McSorley, OMI, passed away peacefully at Mercy Retirement and Care Center in
Oakland, CA, on May 27th, 2005. He was 84 years old. Fr. McSorley had been a resident at
Mercy Center since 2003. Born in Philadelphia in 1921, he entered the congregation of the
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Buffalo, NY, in 1937 and was ordained a priest in
1946 in Washington, DC. From 1946 until 1960, he served as a missionary in the Philippines, and
from 1960-1967 he did retreat ministry, followed by military chaplaincy in Germany from 1967-
1971. He served as a priest in Idaho from 1971-1977 and in the Oakland area from 1977-1981.
Finally from 1981-1982 Fr. Jim served in Aberdeen, WA and from 1983-1985 in Hollywood, FL.
He has been in residence in Oakland since 1985.
Fr. Jim was the seventh of 15 children born to Richard and Marguerita Cosgrove McSorley. Of
those children, he is preceded in his death by the Most Rev. Francis John McSorley, OMI bishop
of Jolo, Philippines; Rev. Richard T. McSorley, SJ; Winifred McSorley Allen; Rev. Patrick
McSorley, SJ; Sr. Eleanor T. McSorley, IHM; Rita Inez McSorley; Joseph C. McSorley; Sr.
Theresa B. McSorley, SHCJ; and Anne N. McSorley Lukens. Surviving brothers and sisters are:
Sr. Mary Rita McSorley, RSM; Marguerita V. McSorley Walsh; Paul Leo McSorley; and Sr.
Rosemary A. McSorley, SHCJ. He is also survived by more than 130 nieces and nephews, grand-
nieces and nephews, and great-grand nieces and nephews.
The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated, followed by burial, on Tuesday, June 7th at 11 AM,
at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Oblate Residence in Tewksbury, MA.