Father Edward J. Sheedy 1946-2025

Father Edward J. Sheedy, who had spent much of his 50 plus years as a priest in an academic setting, died March 7, 2025. He was 78.

Born Sept. 19, 1946, in Buffalo, the son of Francis E. and Rita (Blatner) Sheedy, attended St. Paul School in Kenmore, the Diocesan Preparatory Seminary in Buffalo, and St. John Vianney Seminary in East Aurora. He furthered his education at Canisius College in Buffalo, earning master’s degrees in Religious Studies and Education Administration. He also attended the Graduate Theological Foundation, earning a doctorate in Education in 1999.

He was ordained May 27, 1972, at St. Joseph New Cathedral by Bishop Eustace Smith, OFM, vicar apostolic of Beirut, Lebanon. His first Mass took place at Queen of Peace Parish in Buffalo.

Father Sheedy’s first assignment was as assistant pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Niagara Falls. In 1976, he began his role in education, serving as instructor of Religious Studies at Baker Victory High School in Lackawanna. In 1979, he moved to Bishop Turner High School in Buffalo, where he also served as instructor in Religious Studies, as well as campus minister from 1979-81. He served as principal from 1981-82. He spent the next three years as principal of Niagara Catholic High School in Niagara Falls.

He then served as assistant professor of Religious Studies at Wadhams Hall Seminary in Ogdensburg. In 1991, he returned to the parish setting as administrator of SS. Columba-Brigid and St. Benedict the Moor Parishes in Buffalo during the summer of 1991. He was named pastor of St. Michael Parish, Warsaw, and St. Mary, Silver Springs, where he served from 1991-96. He then returned to Wadham’s Hall as associate professor of Religious Studies, Social Sciences and Philosophy. In 2002, he began serving as director of the Pope John Paul II Residence. The next year, he became an academic dean at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora. He became pastor of St. John Parish in Olean in 2009, where he stayed until his 2016 retirement.

He was the cherished brother of the late Judith Roberts, Claudia Buchanan, Linda Sheedy, Robert Sheedy, Joseph Sheedy, and Luanne Spillane.

A funeral for Father Sheedy will be held Tuesday, March 18, in Trenton, Michigan. A memorial Mass to be celebrated in Buffalo, is being planned for a later date.

Update: A Memorial Mass, celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael W. Fisher,  will be celebrated in honor Reverend Edward J. Sheedy on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 11:00am at St. Philip the Apostle, 950 Losson Road, Cheektowaga. Priests are invited to concelebrate and Deacons are invited to vest. Please bring your Diocesan vestments and stole.