Photo courtesy NJ State Police
RED BANK – Flags were lowered to half-staff Dec. 5 to honor the late Monsignor Philip A. Lowery, who died Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, at the age of 70.
Gov. Phil Murphy, his wife Tammy and many others packed St. James Church for Lowery’s funeral Mass Dec. 5, officiated by the Rev. David O’Connell, bishop of the Diocese of Trenton. It was attended by church community members, neighbors, friends, family, state troopers, elected state, county and municipal officials and more. Pews were filled by hundreds of people.
“He was a giant within the community – deeply devoted to his parishioners, providing spiritual guidance and support for all who needed it,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. “He was one of the very first people we met when we moved to New Jersey and was a friend and mentor to his last day.”
Lowery was born Feb. 22, 1949, according to his obituary. He grew up in Jersey City and attended Catholic schools before entering Pace University in New York City. After completing his seminary studies, Lowery was ordained to the priesthood in 1976.
He went on to serve as parochial vicar at St. Joseph’s parish in Toms River and later at St. Barnabas parish in Bayville before being appointed pastor of St. James Church in Red Bank in 1990. Lowery also served the Red Bank community as the director of Red Bank Catholic High School and Saint James Grammar School and did so for nearly 30 years. He was the longest-serving pastor of the parish.
Lowery was the New Jersey State Police Chief of Chaplains for more than 23 years and provided spiritual support and counseling for officers and their loved ones. He supported those in need during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 and worked “tirelessly” with New Jersey’s Urban Search and Rescue, Task Force 1 at Ground Zero, according to his obituary. He was also on-scene in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and after Super Storm Sandy in Jersey Shore communities.
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden’s office said in a statement that Lowery was not only a longtime, loyal friend of Golden and his family but that he also supported the sheriff’s office and law enforcement throughout the state.
