Father Kieran McCormick 1938-2023

Father Kieran James McCormick
June 17, 1938 – May 4, 2023

Father Kieran James McCormick died on May 4, 2023 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Father McCormick was born in Great Falls, Montana on June 17, 1938, one of three children born to Maurice and Dorothy McCormick. Moving with his family to California, he was raised in San Mateo in St. Matthews Catholic Parish with his older brother Mickey and sister Rose Ellen. Father McCormick entered St. Patrick’s Seminary School in Menlo Park at the age of 14 and was ordained a priest on June 13, 1964. He first served at St. Thomas More in San Francisco, then in various parishes in the San Francisco Diocese including St. Monica, St. Gabriel, Holy Angels, St. James, St. Timothy and St. Charles.

Father McCormick selflessly served people with compassion and kindness, inspiring those around him to do the same. Known for his warmth, wit and down to earth nature, he was a “people’s priest”. His love of learning and adventurous spirit led him to travel the world. He spent time in Mexico and learned to speak Spanish which helped him connect and minister to more people in the communities he served. Father McCormick enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, attending book clubs, visiting the theater, eating good food, having coffee with his prayer group and enjoying time in nature.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Dorothy, his brother Msgr. Maurice McCormick, his sister Rose Ellen McCormick Forbes and brother-in-law, Gerald Forbes.

He is survived by his nieces and nephews Michael Forbes (Kathy), Patrick Forbes (Susan), Colleen Forbes, Kieran (KJ) Forbes (Janis), Kathleen Buccinio (Lee), Molly Forbes Doolittle (Ben), grand nieces and nephews Rachel, Bridgette (Brandon) Mary, Ryan, Evan, Emily (Elena), Sally, Gaby, Kate, Matt, Mickey, and JP, and numerous cousins and countless friends.

Father McCormick made the world a better place and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.


Visitation:
Thursday, May 11, 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Sneider & Sullivan & O’Connell’s,
977 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo

Funeral Mass:
Friday, May 12th, 11:00 am
St. Timothy Catholic Church,
1515 Dolan Ave, San Mateo
Reception to follow

Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities of San Mateo, or a charity of your choice.

Father McCormick was honored at the 2021 Priests Retirement Luncheon. Watch his story below.