Rev. Msgr. Edward Joseph Fairchild

Reverend Monsignor Edward J. Fairchild died at the age of 88 on Friday, December 24, 2021.

Msgr. Fairchild was born on March 22, 1933 in Columbus, Ohio the oldest son of the late Joseph W. and Marie (Lawler) Fairchild. He is survived by three brothers, William (Jean) Fairchild, Joseph W. (Elaine) Fairchild Jr, and James (Linda) Fairchild, all of the Columbus area; nephews Thomas Fairchild, Stephen (Janice) Fairchild, Michael (Mary) Fairchild, and nieces Monica (Ivan) Samuelson, Lisa (Lou) Hamilton, Jennifer (Bill) Beck, Brenda (Michael) Cornett and Susan (Erich) Stehle, and many great-nephews and great-nieces, and beloved pug, Paulie. Msgr. attended Holy Rosary Grade School and High School Class of 1951, St. Charles College and Mount St. Mary of the West in Norwood, Ohio. He was ordained in St. Joseph Cathedral on May 30, 1959 by Bishop Issenmann. He taught at Chillicothe Central Catholic High School and Bishop Hartley High School in Columbus. He was assistant pastor at Chillicothe St. Mary and Columbus Christ the King. He was co-pastor at Columbus Our Lady of Peace before founding St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Pickerington. He then went on to become pastor of Columbus St. Peter and Westerville St. Paul before retiring in July of 2003. Monsignor Fairchild was on the Priest Senate, the Diocesan Finance Review Board, and was chairman of the Bishop’s Committee for Priest’s Salaries. He was named a prelate of honor on September 24, 1992. Our sincere thanks to those who provided care for Msgr. Fairchild, including the Carmelite Sisters of the Aged and Infirm and staff at Mother Angeline McCrory Manor and the Villas at St. Therese and the physicians, nurses and staff at Mount Carmel East Hospital.

Calling Hours will be held at Seton Parish 600 Hill Rd. N. Pickerington, OH 43147 on Tuesday, December 28 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Calling hours will continue at Seton Parish at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 29 until the Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 a.m. with Msgr. Stephan J. Moloney, Diocesan Administrator as the main celebrant and the priests of the Diocese of Columbus concelebrating. The Funeral Mass will be streamed live on www.setonparish.com.   Internment will take place immediately following the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Cemetery in Lockbourne, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Seton Parish St. Vincent de Paul Society 600 Hill Rd. N. Pickerington, OH 43147. Arrangements are handled by Egan-Ryan Funeral Home (www.egan-ryan.com).

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