Fr. John Daniel Fearon, OP

John Fearon was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, May 23, 1920, the second child of Francis and Hazel (Bernick) Fearon.  After early schooling in Minnesota, he moved to California in 1939 to enter the Dominican Novitiate in Kentfield.  A year later he made his profession of vows and began his studies for ordination to the priesthood.  Early on he showed an aptitude for scholarly work and was sent to Washington, DC for advanced degrees in philosophy and theology.  On June 6, 1946 he was ordained to the priesthood at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.

Father Fearon's academic career included serving as editor and writer for the Catholic Encyclopedia, teaching Scripture and Theology at Mount Saint Mary College in Los Angeles, and teaching philosophy and theology at Seattle University.  In 1953 he wrote several meditations on the Passion of Christ and, in 1955, Graceful Living, a work on living the sacraments.  In addition, he wrote magazine articles and reviews for various theological publications.  The final chapter of his academic career was at St. Albert College in Oakland, California where he taught philosophy to young Dominican students.

After leaving academic life, Father Fearon began a second career in ministry, serving the Western Dominican Province as its first Director of Development and as the editor and photographer for "The Western Dominican," a magazine about the ministries of the Western Province.  Eventually, Father Fearon's desire to serve in a parish brought him to Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage in 1979.  Once at the Cathedral, Father Fearon quickly established a ministry that served those most in need.   He regularly visited the jails where he brought hope and comfort to the inmates.  Among those in recovery, Father Fearon's work with A.A. is well known and appreciated.   He spent many hours at the Alaska Native Medical Center visiting patients, families and staff.  In 1984 he helped found the St. Vincent de Paul Center in Anchorage, a group of Catholic lay people who help those in need.  He watched with interest the founding of the Brother Francis Shelter and paid the first year's rent of $1.00.  In addition to these special ministries, Father Fearon celebrated Mass at the Cathedral and preached sermons noted for their brevity, humor and insight.  He was always ready to hear a confession or listen to someone's troubles.

By late 1984, ill health forced Father Fearon to slow down.  He underwent several surgeries, but he never recovered his strength.  Hoping a warmer climate might be better for his health, Father Fearon moved to Phoenix, AZ in January 1991.  The move did not have its desired effect, and Father Fearon continued to decline in health until he died March 14, 1992.  The Rosary and Evening Prayer for the read were recited Tuesday, March 17th at St. Albert Priory, Oakland.  The Funeral Mass, presided by Prior Provincial, John Flannery, was celebrated the next morning at 10 a.m. at St. Albert's.  Burial followed immediately in the Friars' Plot at St. Dominic Cemetery in Benicia.  Father Fearon's friends in Anchorage gathered at Holy Family Cathedral for a Memorial Mass Saturday, March 21st at 10:00 a.m. Archbishop Francis Hurley presided, and Father Martin Diaz preached.

--Br. Mark Gorski, O.P.
--Fr. LaSalle Hallissey, O.P.

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