Lockport native celebrates 70 years as Oblate

Father Joseph Dumphrey has never forgotten where he came from. In fact, he’s still there.

The last Oblate in Lockport celebrated 60 years as an ordained priest and 70 years as an Oblate of St. Francis DeSales on May 4.

The Lockport native still lives in his hometown. Although retired, he still serves his community by helping out at St. John the Baptist Parish with Mass and sacraments.

Some refer to him as the “Bishop of Lockport” “Just because he’s been here so long and knows so many people, and he’s taught so many kids who grew up here,” explained Nadine Oates, a close friend. “He’s been the sacramental minister for so many families, for baptisms and funerals and weddings and everything that there is.”

Born July 25, 1935, Father Dumphrey attended St. Patrick Elementary School and DeSales High School. DeSales had only been open three years when he started classes. He would later be part of the first class inducted into DeSales Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.

He entered the Oblate novitiate in Chiles, Maryland, immediately after graduation. He professed his first vows in September 1954, then 10 years later, on April 11, 1964, was ordained to the priesthood.

Father Dumphrey spent his ministry in education. First teaching math at DeSales, then as principal of Bishop Duffy High School in Niagara Falls. In 1975, when the all-boys Duffy merged with the all-girls Madonna to form the co-ed Niagara Catholic High School, Father Dumphrey returned to DeSales and the math classroom. His service earned him the 1985 Educator of the Year Award from the Diocese of Buffalo. He remained at DeSales until the high school closed in 1989.

He then became a full-time parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish in Lockport. And he’s still there.

“For his age and his physical condition, he is very active,” said Oates. “He does funerals all the time. He celebrates weekend Mass in the parish. He does baptisms.”

On Saturday, May 4, about 400 of the lay faithful of Lockport, several Oblates, and local clergy gathered at St. John the Baptist to celebrate Father Dumphrey’s jubilee.

“He’s probably the most humble person you’ll ever meet in your life. He’s very much the spirit of St. Francis DeSales. He’s a gentle person, very kind,” said Oates.