Fr. David B. Meskell, age 88, of Boston, formerly of Winchester, Wakefield and Hampton Beach, NH, died in peace on February 18, 2018 after a short illness. He was the beloved son of the late Bartholomew and Marguerite (Mullen) Meskell.
A native son of Wakefield who attended St. Joseph’s Parochial School, he was the first graduate to be ordained. He was a graduate of Wakefield High School, Class of 1946 and received his A. B. Degree at the College of the Holy Cross and postgraduate Masters degrees in Education and a Master of Divinity from St. John’s Seminary in Brighton. He was ordained a priest by Cardinal Cushing in 1955.
St. Pius V in Lynn was his first assignment, where he established an extensive youth program for baseball and basketball as well as a nationally recognized Scout Program, as he was C.Y.O. Director for the Lynn Deanery in the Golden Era of C.Y.O. activities. At St. Pius, Fr. Meskell raised funds for the building program and ran an annual carnival, which helped to pay for the new school and rectory built during his assignment there. He served at St. Pius until 1968, when he was transferred to St. Paul’s in Wellesley.
Fr. Meskell was an avid sportsman, having graduated with the well-known Celtic Basketball star Bob Cousy, and he refereed basketball for 10 years and enjoyed St. Pius V teams winning many championships.
In addition to St. Pius and St. Paul’s, Fr. Meskell served in several other parishes including St. Cecilia’s in the Back Bay, St. James in Salem, St. John’s in Beverly, St. Rose’s in Topsfield and St. Joseph’s in Medford.
At St. Joseph’s, he also established a very successful high school of religion as well as scouting and sports programs, most notably in 1969 when the St. Joseph’s team was the New England Baseball Champions.
In retirement, after celebrating his Golden Jubilee, Fr. Meskell had served in St. Stanislaus in Ipswich and for several years has celebrated mass and provided spiritual care for the seniors at the Senior Citizen Center in Medford.
Most recently, Fr. Meskell assisted Fr. Thomas Foley at the Immaculate Conception Parish before its closing, and at the former St. Joseph’s church in Woburn. In Winchester at St. Mary’s Parish, he dedicated his life to the elderly, the sick and the shut-ins and directed St. Mary’s ministry to the elders and the sick at the Winchester and Aberjona Nursing Care facilities there.
Fr. Meskell advocated that people have an obligation to develop and use all their talents to spread the Good News and he used his sense of humor to deliver that message. He was affectionately known as the “singing priest”.
Fr. Meskell will be missed by those who were part of his colorful ministries, whether it was sporting events, including golf, skiing, baseball, basketball or fundraising events as at St. Pius carnivals. He will especially be missed by the senior citizens and sick to whom he ministered until his dying days.
Fr. Meskell was predeceased by his parents, his loving sister, Catherine and her husband Andrew D Guthrie Jr, MD. Survived by his cousin, Eleanor Meskell of Medford & many nieces and nephews: Denise (John) Dawley, Andrew (Karen) Guthrie, Aideen (Thomas ) Hunt, Ellen DuBois, David (Ursula) Guthrie, Sue (Dennis) Paradis & Frederick (Debbie) Guthrie and their families.
Fr. Meskell will lie in state at St. Mary’s Church, 155 Washington St., Winchester, on Saturday, February 24th, from 9:00 – 11:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial will be private. Please, no flowers, due to the Lenten Season. If desired, donations may be given in his name to St. Mary’s Parish Youth Ministry (Attention: Sal Caraviello) 158 Washington St., Winchester, MA 01890 or to Regina Cleri (Attention: Stephen J. Gust, Director) 60 William Cardinal O’Connell Way, Boston, MA 02114.