Father Daniel Corkery dies in Hessmer

The Diocese of Alexandria mourns the passing of Father Daniel Corkery (1930-2024). His obituary follows:

Father Daniel Corkery, a priest of the Diocese of Alexandria, passed from this life on Holy Thursday, March 28, 2024 in Hessmer, Louisiana at the age of 94. Fr. Corkery, a native of Ireland, was born on August 25th, 1930, at Aherla in County Cork to John and Hannah Corkery, a pious Catholic farming family. He attended St. Finbar’s College in Cork and St. Patrick’s College in Carlow from 1944-1955. Attracted to missionary life abroad he responded to Bishop Greco’s appeal and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Alexandria in Louisiana on June 5th, 1955.
Fr. Corkery served as an assistant at St. Joseph’s Church in Marksville from 1955 to 1963. He was assigned as pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Winnsboro in 1963 and served there until 1992 when was assigned as pastor of St John the Baptist in Cloutierville. In 1999, Fr Corkery was assigned as pastor of Christ the King in Simmesport. He was appointed as pastor of the Church of the Little Flower in Evergreen in 2005 and retired from active ministry in August, 2009 after 54 years of dedicated service.
As a priest, Fr. Corkery was noted for his “true priestliness, kindness, devotion and willingness to be of service at all times.” The number of converts to the faith and the increase in attendance at Mass at the various parishes under his care testify to his zeal for souls. The construction of a chapel dedicated to St. Patrick in Fort Necessity, the renovation and care of the churches and parish facilities assigned to him, the construction of buildings for religious education all testify to the amazing amount of energy he showed for the pastoral ministry. Even in retirement, Fr. Corkery continued to minister to the community at St. Martin of Tours in Belledeau where he took up residence in his later years.
A Vigil for the deceased, with Vespers and Rosary, will be held at St. Martin of Tours Church. 1981 Hwy 114, Belledeau, on Wednesday, April 3rd beginning at 4pm. The rosary will be at 5:30pm with Vespers following at 6pm.
Visitation will continue at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Alexandria on Thursday, April 4th from 9am until the time of the Funeral Mass.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Robert Marshall and concelebrated by the priests of the Diocese at the Cathedral on Thursday, April 4th at 10am. Burial will follow at the Priests’ Cemetery at Maryhill.