Msgr. Clarence McAvoy

Monsignor Clarence John “CJ” McAvoy, 88, passed away on March 5, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Home in Ogdensburg.

Born on September 1, 1937, in Ogdensburg to Clarence and Elizabeth (Brady) McAvoy, he was baptized at St. John the Baptist Church. He entered Wadhams Hall Seminary in 1955 and continued his studies at Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure University, graduating in 1963. He was ordained to the priesthood on March 30, 1963, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg by Bishop James Navagh.

Father McAvoy began his ministry as parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Cathedral. In the early 1970s he served at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Potsdam and St. John the Baptist in Madrid before becoming pastor of St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake in 1973. During those years he also served as chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Northern Conference of New York State, on the Diocese of Ogdensburg’s Senate of Priests, on the Liturgy Committee of the Department of Worship, and as Dean of the Adirondack Deanery. In 1986 he was named pastor of St. John the Baptist in Plattsburgh, where he served as Auxiliary Chaplain at Plattsburgh Air Force Base and as Dean of the Clinton Deanery. He was named a Monsignor on March 8, 1997. Subsequent assignments included the parishes in Malone until 2003, followed by the Church of All Saints in Mineville and St. Patrick’s Parish in Port Henry until his retirement in 2007. Even in retirement he continued to serve as chaplain at Elderwood of Uihlein at Lake Placid. An avid motorcycle rider, he cherished the many miles and friendships formed on the road.

Monsignor McAvoy is survived by his sister-in-law, Mary Joanne McAvoy of Dedham, Massachusetts, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings Lauris, Frances, Neil, Ronnie, and his baby sister Marion McAvoy.