Msgr. Thomas J. Hilferty, pastor and chaplain

The Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Hilferty, pastor emeritus of Queen of Peace Parish in Ardsley and a 20-year Navy chaplain, died Wednesday. He was 80 and was living at St. Madeleine Sophie Parish in Philadelphia.

Hilferty served a number of parishes in the Philadelphia area in 56 years as a priest. He was a Navy chaplain from 1957 through 1977.

After his Navy service, he became pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Philadelphia, and was regional vicar of the Philadelphia-South Vicariate from 1989 to 1992.

In 1992, he was appointed pastor of Queen of Peace Parish and served as senior priest at St. Agnes Parish, West Chester, from 1998 through 2003, when he retired.

He was preceded in death by six brothers.

Services: Funeral Mass to be celebrated by Cardinal Justin Rigali at Queen of Peace Church 11 a.m. today.

A service of transfer of the body will be held at 8:45 a.m. followed by a viewing until 10:45 a.m. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon. *

-John F. Morrison