John Denny, Augustinian friar, teacher and pastor
The Rev. John Thomas Denny, 58, of Villanova, an Augustinian friar, priest, and educator on the Main Line, died Monday, June 20, of complications from cancer at Bryn Mawr Hospital.
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The Rev. John Thomas Denny, 58, of Villanova, an Augustinian friar, priest, and educator on the Main Line, died Monday, June 20, of complications from cancer at Bryn Mawr Hospital.
Father Denny was born in Bryn Mawr, one of eight children of Joseph G. and Mary K. Schubert Denny.
He graduated from Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, and earned a bachelor's degree in history from Boston College.
Although he initially entered the Augustinian Order in Lawrence, Mass., in August 1980, he withdrew the following March and went to work as a real estate agent and teacher.
He reentered the religious order in 1985, and completed a master's degree in ecclesiastical history at the Washington Theological Union. He was ordained to the priesthood in August 1990 at Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Bryn Mawr.
Known as "Father Jack," he began an 11-year career at Bonner, serving as a teacher, chaplain, principal, and school president.
A keen gardener, he planted flower beds wherever he lived and worked, including at Bonner. When the Bonner gardens needed watering and weeding, he assigned detention students to do the job.
In 2001, he became the local Augustinian Province's vocation director, and lived in a friary on the Villanova University campus.
From 2002 to 2007, he served as adjunct professor of theology at the university, and chaplain of its law school. In 2011, Father Denny became pastor of Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish.
He was a devoted student of history and enjoyed visiting sites related to the American presidency.
"He was possessed of a good sense of humor, an infectious laugh, and deep appreciation of, and dedication to, his vocation as an Augustinian and a priest," said Prior Provincial Michael Di Gregorio.
He is survived by his mother; six brothers; a sister; and nieces and nephews.
A wake from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 24, will be held in the Church of St. Thomas of Villanova on the university campus, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11. Interment is in the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.
Contributions may be made to the Augustinian Fund, Care of Sick and Elderly, c/o Provincial Offices, Box 340, Villanova, Pa. 19085.
610-313-8102