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Author Topic: Pray for the soul of Fr. Leo Carley  (Read 1419 times)

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Offline OABrownson1876

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Re: Pray for the soul of Fr. Leo Carley
« Reply #15 on: March 20, 2026, 11:09:51 PM »
That is a good story about Fr. Carley.  I never did meet him, but heard plenty of stories being here in Kentucky.  The pre-Vatican II "old guard" who never said the New Mass was as rare breed indeed.  Out of the thousands of priests in America in 1969, how many did not say the New Mass?  You can probably count them on your fingers and toes. 
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Offline Seraphina

Re: Pray for the soul of Fr. Leo Carley
« Reply #16 on: March 21, 2026, 01:31:34 AM »
Quote from: OABrownson1876 on March 20, 2026, 11:09:51 PM
That is a good story about Fr. Carley.  I never did meet him, but heard plenty of stories being here in Kentucky.  The pre-Vatican II "old guard" who never said the New Mass was as rare breed indeed.  Out of the thousands of priests in America in 1969, how many did not say the New Mass?  You can probably count them on your fingers and toes.
By now, the fingers of one hand or fewer must still be alive. 
His was the “Silent Generation,” rapidly passing on. My parents were among the earlier of that breed, dying two weeks apart in May of 2023 at ages 98 and 96. In general, they were tough as nails. I love it that Fr. used his medical alert. The EMTs came, picked him up, he thanked them, shook himself off, went in the church and said Mass! 
I bet the devils were disgusted and his guardian Angel was laughing at them. 
I went to Fr. Carley for Confession and Mass once, in 2007. I was en route from Kentucky to New York, got a migraine headache and decided to hole up in a motel in Akron for the night, especially since there was a Mass nearby. I recall waking up early, headache gone, and figuring out with a phone book and a deLorme’s Atlas of Ohio where the Mass was located. Much to my surprise, practically a few blocks from the motel. After Mass I ended up talking with him awhile over coffee and donuts. It was a cafeteria like room in the basement, painted institutional green!  Then he had to leave for Wheeling, WV. Even then, I was kind of amazed at the distance he was going to drive down and back that night! I remember him as a very kind, intelligent, and holy man. May his soul Rest In Peace!  🕊 
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Offline SimpleMan

Re: Pray for the soul of Fr. Leo Carley
« Reply #17 on: March 22, 2026, 05:02:44 PM »
Quote from: Ladislaus on March 20, 2026, 10:59:16 PM
I'm not sure who put this together, but it's a bit weak.  

If it was simply written by the funeral home, as opposed to someone who had a connection to Fr Carley and the chapel, it's not a bad summary of his life.  I am just thankful that they didn't refer to it as a "Mass of Christian Burial" which seems to be the default for how all Catholic funerals are described.
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Offline Miseremini

Re: Pray for the soul of Fr. Leo Carley
« Reply #18 on: March 22, 2026, 05:34:11 PM »
Leo Michael Carley Profile Photo
Leo Michael Carley
October 17, 1934 — March 19, 1026
Rev. Father Leo Carley, Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Chapel passed away at the age of 91 on March 19, 2026, in the rectory next to his beloved church. Father Carley was born on October 17, 1934 in Honesdale, PA, to the late William and Margaret C. (Haggerty) Carley. He graduated from Honesdale Catholic High School in 1953 and attended Villanova University school from 1953-1955 then Rev Father Leo Carley

Father Carley was ordained a priest before Vatican II. He was sick in the hospital as the changes in the church took place. When he got out of the hospital, his superior told him. "Never stop saying the complete Traditional Mass."


Father Carley ended up all alone. The whole world around him was going along with the changes of Vatican II including his own family.

Then one day Anthony Crookston found him. He brought him home. He introduced Father Carley to other people who were still following the Traditional Mass. Anthony Crookston set up a place for Father Carley to say Mass in his garage.

The Meluch family was looking for a young priest who could take over for the spiritual needs of their family and started attending Mass in the garage.

Then one day Geraldine Ruth Jones sat behind the Meluch family in church. She watched young Andrew Meluch peaking over the pew at her.

After church she said to Mrs. Meluch. That young boy is going to need a place to go to Mass.
Geraldine Ruth Jones' family donated property to Father Carley. Father built a church on the property.

The first Mass was offered in the chapel December 25, 1985.
Father Carley offered Mass in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel daily from that time until March 15, 2026. His last Mass was a high Mass.

Father Carley also traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan and Wheeling, West Virginia to offer Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation, due to the shortage of Traditional Masses being offered.
Father found a priest to take over his parish in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He continued to offer Mass in Wheeling, West Virginia until March 15, 2026.

Father Carley would sit in the back of church after Mass in West Virginia and talk to his parishioners. So whenever a West Virginia parishioner came up to Akron, Ohio for Mass, they were sad that they didn't get to have their after Mass chat.

Father Carley was my priest from the day I was born December 25, 1985 until March 19, 2026. My parents Martin and Paula Meluch helped bring the pews into the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel and set up for the first Mass there. My Dad sang the first Mass, midnight Mass. He took my Mom to the hospital where I was born. Then my Dad sang the morning Mass that same day after I was born.
Every time I told that story in front of Father Carley, he would remind me that I was not the first baby baptized in the church. As all of you know, the day you were baptized is far more important then your birthday.

Then Father Carley would tell me the story of his birth. His Mom was at a wedding. People were telling his Mom the wedding celebration might turn into a birthday party. Father Carley's birth was right between two Masses, the wedding Mass and Sunday Mass, just like mine. He always laughed after telling that story.

Father Carley was a great priest and a great man. He will be missed.
And for the first time in my life, I will have to find a new priest and confessor. St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore , MD from 1955 to 1961.

Father was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1961 by Bishop Jerome D. Hanson in Scranton, PA and was assigned to St. Juliana Church in Rock Lake, PA, Holy Rosary Parish in Scranton, PA and St. Aloysius in Wilkes-Barre, PA. In the early 70's Fr. Carley joined the Traditional Catholic Movement and came to Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel as Pastor in 1977. He also served as Pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes in Wheeling West Virginia for many years.

He is survived by his brother James and sister Margaret (William) Werner both of Honesdale , PA. He was preceded in death by his brother Francis and his sister Mary Megidem and Rita Lillie.
Funeral Rites will begin with Reception of the Body on March 24, 2026 at 5:00pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, 2935 Chenoweth Rd., Akron, OH 44312 followed Vespers and Holy Rosary. A wake follows until 9:00pm. A Requiem High Mass will take place on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 10:00 in the Church. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Masses in Father's memory would be appreciated.

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