Bishop John E. Hesson

December 13, 1937 - August 26, 2017

Bishop John E. Hesson age 79 years of Pompano Beach, Florida went home to be with the Lord on Saturday August 26, 2017. Bishop Hesson was born and raised in Philadelphia and he studied at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa staffed by the Benedictine Monks. He graduated cum laude in philosophy in 1963, then entered the theology dept. on campus. In 1966, Bishop Hesson earned a Master of Divinity degree magna corn laude in systematic theology. On May 20, 1967, he was ordained to the sacred priesthood by the Ordinary of Camden, Archbishop Celestine J. Damiano. For fifteen years Father Hesson labored in the field of education at Paul VI High School, Camden Catholic High and as dean of men and chairman of the theology department at St Mary's Prep Seminary in Penndel, Pa. During this time, he earned a Master of Arts degree in Moral Theology from La Salle College in Philadelphia. Since November of 1982, Bishop Hesson has served traditional independent Catholic chapels and missions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and throughout the USA. On June 12, 1991, he was consecrated a bishop by the Most Rev. Bishop Oliver Oravec who was assisted by Most Rev. Bishop Robert Fidelis McKenna, OP and Most Rev. Bishop Vida Elmer as co-consecrators. Bishop John Hesson retired from ministry and enjoyed his retirement in Florida. Friends and Parishoners will be received friends on Friday September 1, 2017 from 5 to 8 PM and again receive friends and family Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 AM in the McBride – Foley Funeral Home, 228 W. Broad St., Paulsboro. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Joseph Bachtiger, celebrant in St. Mary the Virgin Chapel, 1520 South Delaware St., Paulsboro at 11 AM Saturday September 2, 2017. Interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.