Father Harry Adams, a priest for 50 years, dies at 79

Father Harry Joseph Adams, the founding pastor of Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Waggaman and the former pastor of St. Joachim Parish in Marrero, died on Nov. 20. He was 79 years old and had served for 50 years as a priest.

Father Adams, a native of New Orleans, attended St. Alphonsus Elementary School and Redemptorist High School in New Orleans as well as Loyola University New Orleans and St. Joseph’s College in Edgerton, Wisconsin. He completed his theological studies at Immaculate Conception College in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame Seminary.

He was ordained to the priesthood on May 18, 1968, in New Orleans. He served as parochial vicar at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in New Orleans, Sacred Heart of Jesus in Morgan City, Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Westwego and St. Edward the Confessor in Metairie. 

He also served as temporary administrator at St. Matthias in New Orleans and St. Hubert in Garyville, and was in residence at St. Simon Peter in New Orleans and St. Philip Neri in Metairie.

He became the first pastor of Our Lady of the Angels in Waggaman in 1978. In addition to his pastoral assignments, Father Adams was the director of the Center of Jesus the Lord in New Orleans.

He retired in 2015 and resided at St. John Vianney Villa at the time of his death.

He was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Miriam Adams. He is survived by his brother Lloyd (Gayle) and other family members.

A Mass of Christian Burial  was celebrated by Archbishop Gregory Aymond on Nov. 24 at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in New Orleans.