The wake for Father Joseph S. Mecir will begin with vespers at 3 p.m. Jan. 29 at Our Lady of Grace Church, 1088 Ridge Road, Hinckley. Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries will preside and Father Richard Evans will be the homilist. The wake will continue until 6 p.m.
Bishop Edward Malesic will celebrate Father Mecir’s funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Jan. 30 at Our Lady of Grace Church. Deacon Phillip Kraynik will be the homilist.
Father Mecir, 72, died on Jan. 25.
He was born to the late Joseph and Eleanore (Fitzgerald) Mecir on July 29, 1947 and was educated at St. Wendelin School and St. Michael High School in Cleveland. Father Mecir attended St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri, Borromeo College in Wickliffe and Saint Mary Seminary in Cleveland.
He was ordained to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on June 7, 1980 by Bishop James Hickey in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Therese Parish in Garfield Heights. He also served as chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Council 4130 effective April 7, 1983 and was co-assistant chaplain effective July 20, 1984. On June 27, 1985, Father Mecir was transferred to serve as parochial vicar at St. Clement Parish in Lakewood. He was appointed parochial vicar of Our Lady of Angels Parish in Cleveland on July 1, 1987. His next assignment, effective June 16, 1988, was as parochial vicar of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Sheffield Lake. During that assignment, he served as chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of the Lake Council 4223, effective July 25, 1988.
Father Mecir was resident chaplain at St, John Hospital from Oct. 3, 1988 to April 9, 1990. On Feb. 5, 1990, he was appointed chaplain of St. John Westshore Hospital with residence at Our Lady of Angels Parish in Cleveland. During that assignment, effective July 1, 1990, he provided liturgical ministry at the nearby Poor Clare Monastery on Rocky River Drive in Cleveland.
He was appointed parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish in Painesville on June 21, 1994, and served as administrator pro tem of the parish from July 1 until Oct. 1, 1997.
On June 1, 1998, Father Mecir was released from his Diocese of Cleveland assignment to minister in the Diocese of Gary, Indiana. On March 12, 1999, he was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Cleveland and he provided assistance to the chaplain at the Cleveland Clinic. Father Mecir was transferred on May 14, 2010 to serve as parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish in Willoughby.
He was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Hinckley on July 20, 2010. During that assignment, Father Mecir also served as chaplain of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, effective Feb. 22, 2012. He retired on Aug. 31, 2017.
Those who knew him said that Father Mecir will be remembered for his kindness and gentle spirit.
Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.