The wake for Father James H. Beatty will begin with vespers at 3 p.m. Jan. 12 at Holy Spirit Church, 410 Lear Road, Avon Lake. Bishop Nelson Perez will preside and Father Michael Smith will be the homilist. Father Beatty’s wake will continue until 7:30 p.m.
Bishop David Walkowiak of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan, will celebrate the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Jan. 13 at Holy Spirit Church. Father Joseph Hilinski will be the homilist.
Father Beatty, 71, died on Jan. 8.
He was the son of the late James and Verne (Haskins) Beatty. Father Beatty was educated at Fairlawn Elementary School in Fairlawn; St. Sebastian School, Akron; St. Hilary School, Fairlawn; St. Vincent High School, Akron; Harvard University; Borromeo Seminary, Wickliffe; and Saint Mary Seminary, Cleveland.
He was ordained to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on June 8, 1974 in Gesu Church, University Heights by Bishop Clarence Issenmann.
Father Beatty’s first assignment was as parochial vicar of St. Louis Parish, Cleveland Heights. He was transferred on June 27, 1979, to serve as parochial vicar at St. Mary Parish, Elyria, and on June 28, 1984, he was appointed parochial vicar of St. Luke Parish in Lakewood. He was transferred to SS. Cosmas and Damian Parish, Twinsburg on June 18, 1991 to serve as parochial vicar.
On July 1, 1994, Father Beatty was appointed pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, Avon Lake. In addition to this assignment, he served a five-year term as a member of the Catholic Cemeteries Association Board of Trustees, effective Nov. 6, 1995.
On July 1, 2017, Father Beatty was granted permission to retire. He will be remembered for his generous spirit to his parishioners as well as his pastoral outreach to all he encountered. Father Beatty’s commitment and dedication to the poor and homeless was a hallmark of his priestly service.
He will be buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Akron.