Rev. Aidan Lancaster, 92

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celtic-crossWorcester – Rev. Aidan “Leo” Lancaster, 92 years old and a priest for 59 years, died Friday, May 10, 2013 at St. Mary Health Care, Worcester, after a brief period of declining health.

Born Oct. 19, 1920 in Boston, a son of Irish immigrants James and Mary (Hickey) Lancaster, Fr. Leo was raised on Mission Hill along with his younger brothers, William, James, and John, who all predeceased him. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in October 1945 after serving in WWII as a Staff Sergeant.

He entered the Holy Name Province of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) in 1948 and was ordained a priest May 5, 1954. His first assignment was as a missionary in Puerto Rico where he became fluent in Spanish. He later spent time in Franciscan missions in Bolivia.

Upon his return to Boston, Fr. Leo served as a hospital chaplain, as well as a confessor and counselor at the Franciscan Shrine on Arch Street. He worked for 10 years with the MA Department of Human Services as a social worker. He was also a free-lance writer for the Boston Pilot and Baltimore Sun.

In 1987, Fr. Leo came to the Diocese of Worcester to serve in parish ministry. He served as associate pastor at Holy Family of Nazareth, Leominster; St. Patrick, Rutland, Our Lady of Fatima and St. Stephen Parishes in Worcester; and St. Mary Parish, Shrewsbury. He lived at St. Mary's for nearly 22 years before recently entering St. Mary Health Care in Worcester.

In addition to his parish family and friends at St. Mary's Parish, he leaves behind several cousins, nieces and nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Fr. Lancaster will lie in honor Tuesday, May 14, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Saint Mary's Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury. A wake service will be conducted at 7 p.m. A con-celebrated funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, May 15, at 11 a.m., in St. Mary's Church. The Most Reverend Bishop Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, will be the Principal Celebrant. Burial will follow in VA National Cemetery of Bourne.

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