TRACEY, (Rev) Donald Joseph
Source: Attica Star Tuesday, June 6, 1989
Lafayette—The Rev. Donald Joseph Tracey, 66, died at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 4, 1989 in St. Anthony Healthcare.
He was born Oct. 8, 1922 in Albany, N. Y. He attended Patrick’s School and the Vincetian Institute in Albany. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1945 and a master’s degree in classical languages in 1953.
He had been a pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Covington since July 15, 1987. On April 4, 1988 he had surgery for a malignant brain tumor. He was released to St. Anthony Healthcare and remained there until Aug. 7 when he returned to St. Joseph’s Parish. He was readmitted to St. Anthony Aug. 20 and had been a patient there since.
He taught Latin and social studies at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis from 1945 until 1952 and at Coyle High School in Taunton, Mass., from 1952 until 1954. He attended Our Lady of Angels Seminary at Niagara University in New York from 1954 until 1958 and taught philosophy at the College of St. Rose in Albany in 1956 and 1957.
He was ordained to the priesthood on May 31, 1958, by Bishop William A. Scully. Before applying to study for the priesthood for the Diocese of Lafayette, he was a Holy Cross Brother for several years. His religious name was Brother Eugene.
His first assignment as a priest was in 1958 when he was appointed assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Anderson. He taught at the former St. Mary’s High School in Anderson from 1958 until 1962.
He was appointed assistant superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Lafayette in 1960 and superintendent in 1962. He was appointed to the faculty of Central Catholic High School in 1962 and taught at the school until 1979.
During his tenure at Central Catholic, he was dean of boys and started cross-country in the Central Catholic sports department. He coached for 13 years with 179-29 record. His teams won the cross-country sectional in 1967, 1970 and 1975 and were Hoosier Conference champions in 1970, 1973, and 1975.
He was chaplain at the Precious Blood Monastery in Lafayette from January 1964 until July 1986. He then was appointed moderator of the Lafayette Theresians, a group devoted to fostering vocations to the religious life for women. In 1971, he became diocesan director for the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, a position he held until 1987. He was chaplain at St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center from 1986 to 1987 and was diocesan censor librorum (official book reviewer) from 1964 until his death and a diocesan notary since 1970. He had served as a judge in the diocesan Marriage Tribunal.
He celebrated his Silver Jubilee on May 31, 1983, with a Mass at the Precious Blood Monastery. On June 12, 1983, he solemnized his anniversary with a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Ann Church in Lafayette, where he had assisted with weekend ministry for several years.
Surviving are a brother, Joseph T., Clifton Park, N. Y.; a sister, Mrs. Eileen Gary, Schenectady, N. Y.; eight nieces and nephews; two great nephews and one great niece.
Friends may call at St. Ann Catholic Church 5-8 p.m. Thursday with Scripture service at 8 p.m. Con-celebrated Funeral Mass will be at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Ann Church with Bishop William L. Higi and priest of the Diocese of Lafayette officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery. Hahn Funeral Home, Lafayette, is in charge of arrangements. – thanks to S