Rev. Vincent J. Kilpatrick

Reverend Vincent Kilpatrick, 84, of Syracuse, died Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at Van Duyn Home & Hospital. He was born in Vandling, Pennsylvania on Monday, June 16, 1924 and was the son of Eugene Vincent Kilpatrick and Anna Mary Casey Kilpatrick. He moved to Syracuse with his family at age 13. A 1942 graduate of St. Patricks High School, Father Kilpatrick studied at St. Andrews and St. Bernards Seminaries, Rochester. Ordained by Bishop Walter A. Foery in 1950, Father was a priest of the Syracuse Catholic diocese for 58 years. His first assignment was at St. Christophers Church in Binghamton where he was an active member of the U.S. Army Reserve. Father Kilpatrick served as a chaplain for the U.S. Armed Forces in Vietnam, Korea and Germany. He was awarded the Silver Star and a Bronze Star with cluster for his heroism. Upon return to the U.S., Father Kilpatrick was assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Syracuse. He later served as pastor of St. Michael's Church on Onondaga Hill, St. Mark's in Utica, St. Leo's in Tully, St. John the Evangelist in Syracuse and St. Francis Xavier Cabrini in Lacona. He retired in 1997 from Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Warners. In addition to his parish service, Father served as chaplain for the Syracuse Police Department and was a former chief and chaplain to the Onondaga Hill Fire Department. His interests included fishing, refinishing furniture and buying cars, only to fix them up and give them away. Surviving are his sisters and brothers-in-law, Ann and Thomas Gibbons of Liverpool, Mary and Leo Cosgrove of Fairmount and Eileen Kilpatrick of Onondaga Hill; brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Norma Kilpatrick of Liverpool; 24 nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and nephews. Father Kilpatrick's brother, Donald, predeceased him in 1989. Friends may call Sunday, September 21, 2008 from 3 to 7 p.m. at St. Michael's Church, 4782 West Seneca Turnpike, Onondaga Hill. A Vigil Prayer Service for a Priest will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday in the church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, September 22, 2008 in St. Michael's Church with Rev. Henry J. Pedzich as the main celebrant. Arrangements are by the Buranich Funeral Home. Burial will be in Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208.