Father Bruce Lavery died on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, at the age of 86. Born in Los Angeles on January 18, 1934, he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on April 29, 1967 and served in the Diocese of Orange soon after.
He first served as associate pastor at St. Jerome Parish in Los Angeles, and then in 1971, he was transferred to St. Anthony Claret in Anaheim. In 1978, Father Bruce moved to St. Columban in Garden Grove until 1982 when he moved to Our Lady of Fatima in San Clemente.
Bishop Johnson named Father Bruce the first Pastor of St. Timothy Parish in Laguna Niguel in July 1984. He remained there until his retirement on September 1, 2007. He had 23 years of loving, dedicated, and faithful ministry there.
Fr. Bruce is survived by his brother, Gary Lavery, and his sister, Donna Prietto.
May Father Bruce rest in peace following a lifetime of love for the Lord and selfless service as a priest for so many people for so many years.
A funeral Mass was held on Jan. 16 at St. Timothy Church in Laguna Niguel, followed by the Rite of Commital at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange.