Rev. Frederick Bechley

1925 - 2008  (83 years)

• Name	Frederick Bechley
  Prefix	Rev.
  Born	1925  [1]
  Gender	Male
  Military	WW2
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-157714P
  Died	2 Apr 2008	Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  Buried	Holy Angels Catholic Cemetery, St. Thomas, Elgin, Ontario
  Person ID	I157714	Generations
  Last Modified	6 Apr 2024

  
  

• Notes

  BECHELY, Fr. Frederick - It is with sadness that the Congregation of the Resurrection announces the death of Fr. Frederick Bechely, at home in Resurrection Manor on Wednesday, April 2 after a short illness. He was in his 83nd year, and his 58th year of religious life. Fr. Fred was the son of the late Frederick and Dorothy (nee Kennedy). He is survived by his sisters, Mary Louise Bechely, Elizabeth (Biddy) Sells and Margaret (Peggy) Moore; nephews, Michael Moore, John Sells and Jim Sells and his niece, Kathleen Moore. As a young man, Fr. Fred worked for a short time for the New York Central Railroad before entering the Canadian army. He served overseas and spent time in occupied Germany during and after World War II. After his military service was completed, he moved to St. Jerome's College as a boarder with the thought of becoming a priest. Fr. Fred professed first vows in the Congregation of the Resurrection on September 8, 1950 in Dundas, Ontario; he was ordained to the priesthood in London, Ontario on May 30, 1959. He served in various parishes throughout his priesthood, including St. Cecilia's, Louisville; St. Joseph's, Hamilton; St. Mary's, Kitchener; St. Louis, Waterloo; St. Aloysius, Kitchener; St. Michael's, Paget West, Bermuda; and St. Teresa of Avila, Elmira. Fr. Fred served as pastor at St. Teresa's for eleven years, and was responsible for building the present church. Louis Hall at St. Jerome's University became his home when he retired in 1999; he moved to Resurrection Manor in 2004. In recent years he helped out regularly at St. Aloysius Parish. Fr. Fred's favourite pastimes were driving and listening to music, especially classical and big band era. A quiet, private man, Fr. Fred also loved to read, especially in the area of modern theology. He was imbued with the spirit of Vatican II, and pursued knowledge of the modern church as a way to enhance his ministry. Fr. Fred considered each of his destinations and apostolates special, because of the unique gifts and talents of the parishioners of each parish. He felt it was a privilege to have been permitted to serve the people of God - for God. Visitation will be at St. Teresa of Avila Church, 19 Flamingo Drive, Elmira on Sunday, April 6 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A wake service will be held at the church at 3: 45 on Sunday afternoon. Visitation will also take place Monday, April 7 at the church from 9: 30 a.m. until the Mass of the Resurrection, which will be celebrated at 11 a.m., with Very Rev. Paul S. Voisin, C.R. presiding. Interment in Holy Angels Catholic Cemetery, St. Thomas. Donations in Fr. Fred's memory may be made to Resurrectionist Missions c/o 265 Westmount Road North, Waterloo, N2L 3G7. Online condolences can be made at www.henrywalser.com. The Waterloo Region Record - Apr. 5, 2008

  
  

• Sources

  [S602] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - The Waterloo Region Record (March 2008- ), Obituary of Fr. Frederick Bechley - 5 Apr 2008.

  
  

• Event Map

  Died - 2 Apr 2008 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Holy Angels Catholic Cemetery, St. Thomas, Elgin, Ontario  = Link to Google Earth