Obituary of Reverend John Joseph William Redmond OMI

Rev. Fr. John Joseph William Redmond, OMI Fr. Joe Redmond, OMI, died on September 15 in Victoria Hospital, London, ON, at the age of 69, surrounded by close friends. Fr. Joe was born in Eganville, ON in 1947 to John Edmund and Mary (Devlin) Redmond, both deceased. He made his first vows as an Oblate in 1967, and attended St. Patrick’s College in Ottawa, graduating in 1972. He made his perpetual vows as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate in September 1972 and was ordained a priest after completing his Bachelor of Theology at St. Paul’s University, Ottawa, in 1975. His first work experience with the Oblates was as a councillor at Camp Oskiniko in Moosonee, ON, where for 10 years he worked with Cree children. In 1976, he took on the position of chaplain at the Catholic Central High School in London, ON, which he held until June 1989. In the fall of 1976, he also became director of Christ in Others (COR) in London, a retreat movement for senior high school students. Fr. Joe switched gears slightly and completed a diploma in Education at McGill, providing him the opportunity to share his gifts through teaching. From 1991 to 2004, he shared his passion for Christ by teaching religion and philosophy at John Paul II High School in London. He is survived by his sister Elaine and his brothers Terry and Tom (of Calgary); he is predeceased by his elder sister, Margaret Ann. The funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 22 at 11:00 a.m. in Eganville, ON at St. James Catholic Church (78 Wellington Street), followed by burial in St. James Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in London, ON, on Saturday, September 24 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School (front entrance). In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to OMI Lacombe Canada, 96 Empress Avenue, Ottawa, K1R 7G3. (John T. Donohue Funeral Home)