With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share the news of the repose of Archpriest Joseph Shaheen, 91, who fell asleep in the Lord Jesus Christ on Friday, August 4, 2023, in Naples, FL.
Since his priestly ordination in 1959, Fr Joseph pastored four communities: St George Church of Upper Darby, PA; St George Church of Indianapolis (now Fishers), IN; St Nicholas Church of Montreal, Quebec; and St Paul Church of Naples, where he retired from active ministry in 2017. His tenure covered the construction or renovation of three of those churches. Additionally, Fr Joseph served as ecclesiarch at Archdiocese Conventions, overseeing the operations of the hotel chapels.
"Dear ones, it is essential that we understand that the departing of Fr Joseph Shaheen truly marks the 'end' of a foundational era for our Archdiocese here in America," said Fr. Paul Girgis, Fr. Joseph's successor in Naples. "In fact, he was among the last living men to have been ordained to the holy priesthood by His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony Bashir of blessed memory. That is three metropolitans ago! Fr Joseph was a man that had been involved in building up so much of what we have in the Antiochian Archdiocese today, not to mention our parish here in Naples and several before! May the Lord grant him Paradise."
Fr Joseph graduated St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in 1960 (M.Div.). In addition to his pastoral duties, he served as spiritual advisor for regional chapters of Teen SOYO, the Fellowship of St John the Divine (now Young Adult Ministry), and the Order of St Ignatius of Antioch. Fr Joseph was elevated to the dignity of Archpriest in 1977.
Funeral arrangements are pending with divine services planned for Aug. 10-11 at St Paul Church in Naples. Final arrangements will be announced soon.
Fr Joseph is survived by his wife, Kh. Diane, to whom he was married for 64 years, and their children Rebecca, Joseph, and Philip.
His Eminence Metropolitan Saba and the hierarchs, clergy, and laity of the Antiochian Archdiocese extend their love and sympathies to the family and friends of Fr Joseph.
May Fr Joseph's memory be eternal!
Adapted from antiochian.org.
