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Monsignor Robert Davern
His family tree connection: Dennis McLaughlin

The Catholic Sun, May 5, 2011
Msgr. Robert Davern is celebrating his 60th jubilee, a priesthood filled with many accomplishments and much fulfillment. 
 
Msgr. Davern grew up on Syracuse’s West side and attended St. Patrick’s schools. He completed his seminary work at St. Andrew’s and St. Bernard’s Seminaries in Rochester.

After his ordination on May 19, 1951, Msgr. Davern was assigned to Immaculate Conception in Fayetteville as associate pastor. In 1952 he began serving in the same capacity at Our Lady of Lourdes in Syracuse.

Before taking on the position of associate director of Syracuse Catholic Charities in 1954, Msgr. Davern began to earn his master’s degree in social work from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He then served as director of Catholic Charities in the Binghamton area from 1961 until 1970, when he took a leave of absence to serve as director of social services in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Upon his return to the U.S. in 1971, Msgr. Davern began to work with Catholic Charities in Syracuse as co-director of development and social action. From 1973 to 1975, he served as pastor at St. Vincent de Paul in Syracuse. From 1975 to 1977, he worked as co-director of Catholic Charities in Binghamton.

From 1977 to 1982, Msgr. Davern served as director of the diocesan Development Office. It was during this time that he worked with Bishop Frank Harrison to coordinate the first HOPE Appeal.
       
From 1982 to 1993, Msgr. Davern served as chaplain at the Onondaga County Penitentiary, a ministry that he found very rewarding. “I immensely enjoyed the time I spent in prison cells, talking to the forlorn,” Msgr. Davern said.

Msgr. Davern was named Monsignor in 1964.

Msgr. Davern’s special assignments included serving as the diocesan representative for the Triple Cities State Commission Against Discrimination and chaplain at Loretto Geriatric and Van Duyn Hospital in Syracuse. In addition, he served as temporary administrator at St. Patrick’s in Binghamton and at St. John the Evangelist and St. James in Syracuse.

“In the end,” Msgr. Davern said, “it’s the one-on-one contact to those in need that really matters. My work has been very rewarding. Every day I would go home knowing that I had helped someone.
Msgr. Davern died March 14, 2016. This is the obituary prepared by Edward J. Ryan and Son Funeral Home of Syracuse:

Retired Msgr. Robert B. Davern was born in Syracuse, NY on August 23, 1927. He went to St. Patrick's School followed by St. Andrew's and St. Bernard's Seminary in Rochester.

He was ordained a priest on May 19, 1951 and then attended Catholic University in Washington, DC for his master's degree.

Msgr. Davern loved helping people which was reflected in his assignments reflected that. He was called to serve and he did so faithfully. He showed his love for the Lord at Immaculate Conception in Fayetteville, Our Lady of Lourdes in Syracuse, many years at Catholic Charities in both Binghamton and Syracuse and in fact, spent two years starting Catholic Charities in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

He helped write the first by-laws in creating Head Start and Model Cities, providing housing and better living conditions for minorities. He also created the Hawley Neighborhood Development program.

He served as Diocesan Director of Development and played an important role in the First Annual Hope Appeal. He served as Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Syracuse, temporary administrator at St. Patrick's in Binghamton, and at St. John the Evangelist in Syracuse. He was also Chaplin of Jamesville Correctional Facility, Loretto and VanDuyn nursing homes. His last assignment was temporary administrator at St. James in Syracuse.

Msgr. Davern led a fascinating life, and had an ability to draw people to him whereever he went. He was not only a top student but also a star athlete.

He was an Irishmen through and through, having grown up in St. Patrick's parish on Syracuse's Tipperary Hill, home of the nation's famous green over red traffic light.

His love for his community and faith was shown by his loyalty and dedication to his vocation throughout these past 65 years.

Msgr. Davern was predeceased by his parents, the late Robert B. Davern and Helen Davern, as well as his sister, Marilyn Moore.

He is survived by his sister, Kathryn Shea and brother-in-law, Jack Shea, many nieces and nephews who adore him.
A funeral mass was held March 19, 2016 at S. Patrick's Church, Syracuse. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery, DeWitt.
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