Posted November 16, 2021

Msgr. John E. Breslin, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, died Nov. 11 at St. Joseph Manor, Meadowbrook at age 88.

Born in Mount Carmel, Pa., son of the late Leo H. Breslin and Ann Ellen Kelley, he attended St. Bridget School, Philadelphia and Roman Catholic High School before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood.

Msgr. Breslin was ordained on May 13, 1961 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia by Archbishop John Krol. He was named an honorary prelate of St. John Paul II in 1985.

H served as parochial vicar at St. Isidore Parish, Quakertown; Our Lady of Charity, Brookhaven; St. Colman, Ardmore; Immaculate Conception, Levittown; St. Margaret, Narberth; and St. Matthew, Conshohocken.

He served as pastor of St. Christopher Parish, Philadelphia, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Doylestown.

Msgr. Breslin also served as director of the archdiocesan Cemeteries Office, director of the Office for the Archdiocesan Synod and regional Vicar of the Delaware County Vicariate.

He retired from active ministry in 2008.

The Reception of the Body will be held at St. Albert the Great Church, Huntingdon Valley
on Friday, Nov. 19 at 9:45 a.m., followed by a viewing.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Timothy C. Senior at 11 a.m. Concelebrating priests will include Msgr. Joseph P. Duncan, Msgr. Daniel J. Sullivan and Msgr. Michael J. Carroll, who will be the homilist.

Msgr. Breslin is survived by his brothers Gerard and Leo, and several nieces and nephews.

Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in West Conshohocken.