The Rev. James Knox, a beloved pastor who served at Holy Cross Parish in South Portland for 15 years, died Tuesday at St. Joseph Rehabilitation and Residence. He was 90.

The Rev. Knox devoted nearly 65 years of his life to ordained ministry and was the parish priest at Holy Cross from 1981 to 1996.

The Rev. Msgr. Andrew Dubois announced his death in a letter sent to parishioners in the South Portland area. His letter includes a quote from former Maine Bishop Joseph Gerry, who said Fr. Knox was known as a priest whose “counsel is sought by parishioners, fellow priests, and bishops alike because of your wisdom, experience, and Christ-like treatment of others.”

In his early years, Rev. Knox served at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland and at St. Gregory Parish in Gray

From 1971 to 1981, he served as pastor at St. Charles Borromeo in Brunswick. He then joined Holy Cross and retired in 1996 from full-time ministry.

Throughout the years, Rev. Knox served the Diocese in various capacities. More recently, he served as temporary administrator at St. Philip Parish in Lyman in 2003.

Funeral services for Rev. Knox will be held next week. A reception of the body will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Rd. in Scarborough. A wake will follow until 7 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church.

Conroy Tully Crawford Funeral Home in South Portland is handling the arrangements.

A full obituary for Rev. Knox is expected to appear in the Portland Press Herald Friday through Sunday.

 

Copy the Story Link