Rev William P Kealy, chancellor of the diocese of Scranton, St Peter's Cathedral, is a prominent and influential man of Lackawanna County. He was born at Inkerman, Luzerne County, PA, 24 Apr 1888, the son of John Henry & Mary Theresa Burke Kealy.
John Henry Kealy was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, and was the son of John Kealy. After a term of service in the British navy, John Henry Kealy came to the United States when 21 years of age and settled at Pittston, PA, where he was employed in the coal mines. He lived retired for 15 years before his death, which occurred 25 Jul 1913. Mr Kealy was a Democrat, a member of the Catholic Church, and belonged to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, being past president of the Inkerman branch, and a delegate to the state and national conventions. His wife was born at Ballinrobe, County Mayo, Ireland, and was two years of age when her parents emigrated to this country and settled at Minersville, PA. Later they removed to Pittston. She was the daughter of John and Margaret Hession Burke. Mrs Kealy died 25 Feb 1902, and with her husband is buried in St John's Cemetery, Pittston. To John Henry and Mary Theresa Burke Kealy nine children were born, as follows: Margaret, the widow of Thomas A Farrell, lives at Plymouth, PA; Patrick, deceased; John, died 25 Dec 1927; Mary, married William Moughan, lives at Inkerman; Delia, in religion known as Sr M Eugenia, IHM, was formerly superior of St Paul's parochial school, Green Ridge, now studying at Catholic University, Washington DC; Sarah, in religion known as Sr M Evangela, Franciscan Order, is superior of St Benedict School, Augusta, GA; Thomas, lives at Morristown, NJ; William P, the subject of this sketch; and Helen, in religion known as Sister Jane de Chantal, Franciscan Order, a teacher in Our Lady of Peace parochial school, Brooklyn, NY.
William P Kealy obtained his early education in the public schools of Jenkins Township, Luzerne County. He was graduated from St John's High School, Pittston, in 1905, St Thomas College in 1907, and St Bonaventura (sic) College in 1909, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In September 1910 he entered the American College, Rome, Italy, and attended the lectures in theology in the University of the Propaganda (sic), from which he was graduated in June 1914, receiving the STD degree. He was ordained to the priesthood 28 Oct 1913 by Monsignor Pompili, vicar general of the diocese of Rome. In 1914 Father Kealy returned to the United States and in September of that year was appointed to St Peter's Cathedral as professor of Latin in St Thomas College, and chaplain of the House of the Good Shepherd. He taught until Jun 1923 when, after the consecration of Bishop Brennan, who was at that time chancellor, he was appointed his successor.
Fr Kealy was chaplain of the Scranton Council of the Knights of Columbus.