Rev. James C. Sherlock passed away peacefully on June 25, 2025. Beloved son of the late John J. and Ann
(Nee Hearty) Sherlock. James is survived by his brother William J. Sherlock (Carole). He was predeceased by his siblings, John J. Sherlock (Mary), Frank B. Sherlock (survived by Kathryn), Edward Sherlock, and sister-in-law, Pat.
Father James C. Sherlock, former pastor emeritus of St. Colman’s Parish in Ardmore was ordained to the priesthood on May 16, 1964. Born Sept. 25, 1938 and raised in Havertown where he attended Sacred Heart School. He went on to graduate from West Catholic High Scholl and St. Charles Seminary.
He was one of five boys ranging from 9 to 19 when their father had passed away. In order to help their widowed mother pay for their educations, Father Sherlock and his brothers caddied at Llanerch Country Club. In 1958, Father Sherlock said, he caddied for famed golfer Billy Casper during the PGA tournament at Llanerch Country Club. He also coached the CYO football and baseball teams at Sacred Heart while in high school.
After his ordination as a priest in 1964, Father Sherlock served various parishes in the Philadelphia Archdiocese including Mother of Sorrows, St. Jerome, Annunciation BVM in Havertown, Our Lady of Grace in Penndel, St. John the Evangelist in Yardley, Our Lady of Lourdes, and St. Colman’s.
Father Sherlock has taken on part-time assignments as chaplain at Nazareth, Lankenau and Bryn Mawr hospitals, as well as Archbishop Ryan and Bishop Conwell high schools. He served as regional director of CYO and served on the Archdiocesan Council of Priests for six years.
In 1985, Father Sherlock received the Father Daly Award, the highest award presented by the Archdiocesan CYO from West Catholic.
Although priests are asked to retire at the age of 75, Father Sherlock said he asked for and received an extension from Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Between the many weddings, christenings, funerals, and weekday masses he performs, Father Sherlock was too busy to think about his retirement.
Father Sherlock and his smile will be missed by many people throughout the Archdiocese. He was known for his friendly manner and loved being a parish priest and a pastor.
Relatives and friends are invited to Father Sherlock’s viewing on Monday, June 30, 2025 from 9:30 AM -11:00 AM followed by his funeral mass as 11:00 AM at St. Colman Church, 11 Simpson Rd, Ardmore, PA. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, PA.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to: St. Colman Parish - https://osvhub.com/church-of-st-colman/giving/funds.
Livestream at St. Colman Link: https://youtube.com/live/CF3yWusA8fg?feature=share
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