The Recovering Choir Director

Fr. Mahler^[1], in addition to being the priest under whom I first delved into liturgical music (with mixed results), was effectively my pastor for ten years at the Cornell Catholic Community. To hear of his passing away at such a relatively early age is sobering, though he could not have “picked” a more appropriate date. Reprinted below is his obituary from the Ithaca Journal.

Rev. Michael J. Mahler (1946–2009)

Ithaca: Passed away peacefully Monday, June 29 of cancer, age 63.

Predeceased by parents, John and Marie and early mentor and lifelong friend Reverend James E. Kircher.

Survived by sister, Mary Therese (Gregory) Storey & brother James (Jocelyne) Mahler, nephew Jeffrey Storey, aunt Allison Piehler, cousins in Rochester, South Carolina, Arizona & Germany, devoted friends and caregivers Dawn & Michael Redlin, longtime friends Sylvia Mancuso & family, and many close colleagues and friends in the Catholic community.

Fr. Mahler was born in Rochester and attended St. James School; prepatory studies at St. Andrews Seminary and St. John Fisher College; theological studies at St. Bernard’s Seminary; received his tonsure Dec 4, 1969; minor orders Oct 22, 1970; exorcist & acolyte Feb 4, 1971; sub-deaconship Mar 27, 1971; deaconship May 8, 1971; ordained Roman Catholic priest at St. Margaret Mary Church, Mar 30, 1973; first appointment Holy Apostles, Jun 27, 1973; SUNY Geneseo chaplain, Jun 23, 1976; appointed co-chaplain Cornell University, Jun 30, 1983 and later as Chaplain; appointed pastor St. Catherine of Siena, Ithaca, NY, Jun 24 2003; chaplain of Ithaca College, Jun 28, 2005 while retaining his pastorate at St. Catherine’s. Father Mahler was also Cornell University Police Chaplain, Cornell University Football Chaplain, and Chaplain Emeritus of Cornell University.

Fr. Mahler will lie in state from 3 PM to 7 PM on Wednesday, July 1 at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 302 St. Catherine Circle, Ithaca, NY with Evening Prayer at 7:30 PM. Father will lie in state on Thursday, July 2, from 10 AM to 11 AM with his funeral liturgy at 11 AM with Bishop Matthew H. Clark, presiding. Burial will take place at Immaculate Conception Calvary Cemetery, Ithaca. Memorial donations can be made to: St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 302 St. Catherine Circle, Ithaca, NY 14850.

Tu es sacérdos in aetérnum, secúndum órdinem Melchísedech. Requiéscat in pace. Amen.