Obituary of Father Edward J. Dillon
Father Edward J. Dillon, age 88, of Canandaigua, formerly of Geneseo, died Sunday, January 21, 2024 in Upperco, Maryland. He was predeceased by his parents, Matthew and Kathryn Dillon, siblings, Margaret Schilling, Jack and Dick Dillon.
He is survived by his nieces, Susan Dillon, Becky Tillett, Lori Dillon, Kathy Dillon, Mary Smith, Patricia Schilling and Eileen Schilling, nephews Timothy Dillon, Patrick Dillon, Matthew Dillon and Michael Dillon, several great nieces and nephews.
Father Ed was born January 1, 1936 in Macedon, NY the son of Matthew F. and Kathryn O'Keefe Dillon. He was a native to St. Patrick's Parish in Macedon, NY. Father Ed attended St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY and then went on to study at St. Andrew's and St. Bernard's seminaries and Rome's Pontifical North American College in Italy. He was ordained on December 18, 1960 in Rome where continued to study and earned his Master's and Doctoral degrees in Sacred Theology.
In 1969 Father Ed started working in the Philadelphia area with the homeless, less fortunate and ministered prisoners and ex-prisoners. In the early 1980's he returned to the Rochester area serving in many different capacities. His first pastoral position was with the Immaculate Conception in Rochester. Father Ed then became the pastor at St. Felix and St. Francis Churches in Ontario County. He was the senior priest for St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Wayne County, Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, and retired from St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Livingston County. After his retirement, Father Ed moved to St. Mary's Church in Canandaigua where he resided.
Father Ed will lie in state on Monday, January 29, 2024 from 10 - 11 AM at St. Mary's Church, 4 Avon Rd., Geneseo, where his Funeral Mass will be held at 11 AM with the Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Geneseo.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Catholic Charities of Steuben / Livingston, 34 E. State St., Mt. Morris, NY 14510.