Reverend Msgr. Edward J. Scanlan, 91, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2020, two days short of his 92nd birthday at the St. Joseph's Post Acute Care Center in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Msgr. Scanlan was born in Batavia on May 13, 1928 and was the son of the late Joseph and Mary [Jones) Scanlan.
He attended and graduated from St. Peters Elementary School in Le Roy and Le Roy High School. He received a BS degree while attending Niagara University/ Our Lady of the Angels Seminary at Niagara. Msgr. Scanlan was ordained into the priesthood on May 30, 1953 in Buffalo.
After ordination, he served as assistant pastor of Guardian Angels Parish in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. Following this assignment he became a weekend assistant at St. Cecilia's Parish in Oakfield, N.Y., while also serving as a teacher at Notre Dame High School in Batavia, N.Y., for two years.
His next assignment was as assistant pastor at St. Lucy's Parish in Buffalo and assistant director of the Spanish Speaking Apostolate of Western New York. Later, he was assigned as an assistant pastor at St. Mary's Parish in Batavia during which time he also served as Chaplain at the U.S. Veteran's Hospital in Batavia.
Future assignments included assistant pastorships at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Buffalo, St. Joseph's Parish in Buffalo and St. John the Baptist Parish in Kenmore, N.Y., as well as an assignment to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., before becoming pastor at St. Bartholomew Parish in Buffalo.
In 1975, he became pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Niagara Falls, N.Y., a position he held for 21 years before retiring from active priestly administrative duties.
Msgr. Scanlan is survived by a nephew, John F. [Mary Margaret] Scanlan Jr., a great-niece Beth Ann Scanlan and great-nephews John F. Scanlan III, Timothy Scanlan and Thomas Scanlan. Also surviving is a cousin Dr. Joseph [Kate] Scanlan. He was predeceased by his brother John "Tanky" Scanlan and his sister-in-law, Suzanne Scanlan-Jones.
Due to recent circumstances, funeral services and internment in the Stella Niagara Cemetery will be held privately for the family. A public memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial offerings may be made to the Retired Diocesan Priests Medical Fund c/o the Diocese of Buffalo, 795 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14203.
Arrangements by M.J. Colucci & Son Funeral Chapel, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
