The Rev. Richard Townley Lambertville, New Jersey Obituary

The Rev. Richard Townley

The Rev. Richard Woodruff Townley, Jr., Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Lambertville, NJ, died on Saturday, July 22, 2017. Born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ, Father Townley earned his undergraduate degree in sociology from Drew University in 1970 and his Masters of Divinity at Virginia Theological Seminary in 1973. He was ordained to the priesthood on January 11, 1974 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Elizabeth. In 1974 he was named curate at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Metuchen. In 1976 Father Townley was named vicar (later called to be rector) of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Lambertville where he would serve the people of Lambertville for the next 41 years. His concern for the citizens of the Lambertville area led to Father co-founding Fisherman’s Mark, an independent social service agency providing a full range of support programs, including education, counseling services and emergency intervention. He was a past chairman of the Delaware Valley Council of Churches (now the Delaware Valley Interfaith Council). For the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, Father served as past president and coordinator for Province II of the Episcopal Diocese Ecumenical and Interreligious Offices. He was the convener of the Diocese’s New Jersey Ecumenical Officers. At St. Andrew’s Father Townley launched a classical music program offering a regular schedule of concerts performed by the church’s own choir and musicians and by visiting artists. Above all Father Townley treasured his family and his parish family that was St. Andrew’s. He was the son of the late Richard Woodruff Townley, Sr. and Eleanor Hoffacker Townley. He is survived by his beloved wife Laura Finneran Townley; his brother Peter K. Townley and his wife Joan of Port Jefferson, NY; and several nieces and nephews. Burial office and Eucharist will be celebrated on Saturday, July 29, at 10 am at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 50 York Street, Lambertville, New Jersey 08530. There will be calling hours at the church on Friday evening from 6 to 8 pm. Interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Hillside, New Jersey on Monday, July 31, at 11 am. A procession to the cemetery will depart from the church at 9:15 that morning. Donations in Father Townley's name may be made to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.
July 18, 1948 - July 22, 201707/18/194807/22/2017
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Obituary

The Rev. Richard Woodruff Townley, Jr., Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Lambertville, NJ, died on Saturday, July 22, 2017. Born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ, Father Townley earned his undergraduate degree in sociology from Drew University in 1970 and his Masters of Divinity at Virginia Theological Seminary in 1973. He was ordained to the priesthood on January 11, 1974 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Elizabeth. In 1974 he was named curate at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Metuchen. In 1976 Father Townley was named vicar (later called to be rector) of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Lambertville where he would serve the people of Lambertville for the next 41 years. His concern for the citizens of the Lambertville area led to Father co-founding Fisherman’s Mark, an independent social service agency providing a full range of support programs, including education, counseling services and emergency intervention. He was a past chairman of the Delaware Valley Council of Churches (now the Delaware Valley Interfaith Council). For the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, Father served as past president and coordinator for Province II of the Episcopal Diocese Ecumenical and Interreligious Offices. He was the convener of the Diocese’s New Jersey Ecumenical Officers. At St. Andrew’s Father Townley launched a classical music program offering a regular schedule of concerts performed by the church’s own choir and musicians and by visiting artists. Above all Father Townley treasured his family and his parish family that was St. Andrew’s. He was the son of the late Richard Woodruff Townley, Sr. and Eleanor Hoffacker Townley. He is survived by his beloved wife Laura Finneran Townley; his brother Peter K. Townley and his wife Joan of Port Jefferson, NY; and several nieces and nephews. Burial office and Eucharist will be celebrated on Saturday, July 29, at 10 am at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 50 York Street, Lambertville, New Jersey 08530. There will be calling hours at the church on Friday evening from 6 to 8 pm. Interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Hillside, New Jersey on Monday, July 31, at 11 am. A procession to the cemetery will depart from the church at 9:15 that morning. Donations in Father Townley's name may be made to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.

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Events

Jul
28
Visitation
Friday, July 28 2017
06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
50 York Street
Lambertville, NJ 08530
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Jul
29
Service
Saturday, July 29 2017
10:00 AM
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
50 York Street
Lambertville, NJ 08530
Get Directions
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