Photo courtesy of Church of the Transfiguration
The Rev. Father Stephen J. McNally, 69, of Fincastle and pastor of Church of the Transfiguration (Fincastle) and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church (New Castle) passed away unexpectedly last Wednesday, Jan. 4, according to a tribute released last week by the Church of the Transfiguration.
Father McNally was born April 10, 1953 in Bronx, New York and was the son of the late Joseph L. and Ida Callegari McNally. He enjoyed a good bargain, good food, and especially good company.
After being ordained a Deacon on May 19, 1984, Father McNally was assigned to the Campus Ministry at the Catholic University of American in Washington, DC. He then served as Deacon at Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church in Roanoke from 1985 to 1986. Following ordination to the Priesthood May 17, 1986, he served as Associate Pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia Beach and St. Bede Catholic Church in Williamsburg.
His first assignment as Pastor was from 1991-1995 at St. Paschal Catholic Church in South Boston and St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church in Brookneal. From 1995-2001, Father McNally was stationed at The United States Embassy in Bonn, Germany as the Chaplain to The United States Mission while serving the St. Thomas More Catholic Community.
After finishing his overseas tour in 2001, Father McNally was named Pastor of Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Bedford where he stayed until June 2009 when became Pastor of the Church of the Transfiguration in Fincastle and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in New Castle. In February 2011, he was given pastoral oversight of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Clifton Forge and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Covington.
Father McNally served as National Chaplain of The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Chaplain of the Father Lynch Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Chaplain of Fincastle Fire Department, and Chaplain of Roanoke Police Department, and formerly as one of the Public Safety Chaplains of Bedford County.
In addition to his parents, Father McNally was preceded in death by his brother, Terry McNally, on December 4, 2022. He is survived by his sister, Jean (Sal) Macedonio of Stony Brook, New York; brothers: Tim (Donna) McNally of Patchogue, New York, and Matthew (Lynn) McNally of Massapequa, New York; nephews and nieces: Joe (Michelle) McNally, Christina McNally, Cara Macedonio, Anna Macedonio, Daniela McNally,
Timothy McNally, Kate McNally, and Emily McNally; and his sister-in-law, Mey McNally of Queens Village, New York.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 12 Noon Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at Our Lady of Nazareth Roman Catholic Church, 2505 Electric Road, Roanoke with The Most Rev, Barry C. Knestout officiating with brother priests of the Diocese of Richmond con-celebrating. Burial will be in Godwin Cemetery in Fincastle. Father McNally’s body will lie in state from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday, January 16 at Church of the Transfiguration, 7624 Roanoke Road, Fincastle where a Parish Vigil Service will be held at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Church of the Transfiguration Capital Building Fund, 7624 Roanoke Road, Fincastle, 24090, or to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 99 Second Street, New Castle, 24127.
Online condolences may be made to Father McNally’s family at www.rader-funeralhome.com/tributes/Stephen-McNally.
~ Fincastle Herard staff report
