John C. Hynes Service Information

Deacon John C. Hynes, a Permanent Deacon for 46 years and the longest tenured deacon in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, died on April 24, 2024. He was 92 years old.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years Mary (Nee) Cruice, and his sister-in-law Rita Cruice. John was predeceased by his parents John and Sarah (nee) Kilgallen and his sister Mary Theresa Hodgkinson.

Deacon John is survived by his six children: Jane Robinson (Bill), Sallie Melchiore Frankenberger (Paul), Anne Klause, Jack (Debbie), MaryAnne Roberto (Matt), and Skyler Thomas.

He was the beloved “Pop-Pop” of Jeffrey (Catherine), Stephanie (Andy), Michael (Amanda), William (Meg), Mick (Mary), Sarah (Andrew), Meghan, Shannon (Marty), Maeleigh, Sophie, Shane, Vincent, Christina, Kellyanne, Alaina (Mike), Bryan, Juliette, Harrison, as well as great-grandfather to Gianna, Brooklyn, Andrew, Noelle, Cora, Jordan, Emma, Frances, and Mason (due May 2024)

Deacon Hynes was ordained for the Diocese of Camden on October 4, 1978, by the Most Reverend George Guilfoyle. He transferred to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1990. He was assigned to Maternity B.V.M., Philadelphia, where he remained until his retirement in 2006. In 1998, Deacon Hynes was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and one year later, he received a secondary assignment as an approved advocate for the Office of the Metropolitan Tribunal. He remained in this position until 2008, even though he retired from active ministry two years earlier.

Deacon Hynes held a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Management which he received from LaSalle University in 1958. He was a retired salesman for Industrial Supplies Company.

Deacon Hynes was a professed member of the Third Order Franciscan Secular for 19 years prior to becoming interested in the diaconate. However, since the Permanent Diaconate had not been fully restored in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Deacon Hynes applied and was accepted to study for the Diocese of Camden. After ordination, Deacon Hynes

ministered in both the Diocese of Camden and in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, where he primarily visited the sick and elderly in hospitals and nursing homes along his sales route. When Deacon Hynes was assigned to a sales territory in Delaware, he would visit nursing homes there, during his lunch hour.

In 1990, following his transfer to Philadelphia and his assignment to Maternity B.V.M., Philadelphia, Deacon Hynes continued to focus on the charism of charity. In addition to continuing his visits to the sick and elderly, Deacon Hynes taught Pre-Cana classes, assisted the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, assisted the Poor Clare Monastery in Langhorne, PA, began prison ministry, taught English as a second language to the Hispanic community, counseled at-risk boys as a volunteer with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, helped a food bank at a  neighboring parish, and drove parishioners to doctor’s appointments.

In 2014, Deacon Hynes suffered a stroke, but continued his diaconal ministry as best he could for the next two years. In 2018, while reflecting on

the 40 years of baptisms, blessings, pastoral visits, wakes, graveside services, and everything else, Deacon Hynes said that he was in awe at how fast time had passed. But looking back, he confidently stated that it was all a blessing.

John began his leadership skills as a left half back for the football team at St. John’s High School in Manayunk. The wear-and-tear on his body followed him as a reminder of the love he had for the game. Many stories came from his football ‘career’: “Did I ever tell you the one about…” “Stop me if I told you this before…”

John entered the Air Force a year after high school but his football injuries caught up to him, and he was given an Honorable Discharge from service.

While working at Brown Instrument (Honeywell), he met the love of his life, Mary Cruice. Together, they filled their home with love and laughter, and raised their six children in the Olney section of Philadelphia. They were active members of Incarnation Parish where John served as President of the Home and School Association.

Music was an integral part of their lives, and family gatherings were never complete without the Hynes family singing renditions of Up, Up With People, or The Sound Of Music. The finale always included John and Mary singing We Ain’t Got a Barrel of Money. The Hynes family performed at USO shows for the soldiers of the Vietnam War, at the Incarnation talent shows, as well as a never-to-be-forgotten performance on the Al Albert’s Showcase in 1968. In addition to coaching the family in their singing, John penned a number of songs he would teach to his children, and later his grandchildren and great-grandchildren including Watch the Way You Walk, Someday, and the Guardian Angel Song.

The family spent their summers at Mermaid Lake in Norristown. Summer camping trips with Mermaid families would find John telling stories by the campfire that always ended with raucous laughter.

In their retirement years, John and Mary traveled throughout Europe and visited many, if not all of the Marian Shrines. When they weren’t on their ‘shrine tours’, they could be found spending time with their grandchildren

and serving their parish church.

John’s legacies are many, but none so powerful as his deep devotion to Our Lord and his Blessed Mother. His greatest desire was that he would be remembered in prayer after he was gone. His life has touched so many lives, and he will never be forgotten.

“Well done, good and faithful servant…” Matthew 25:23

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, May 3rd from 10:30 to 11:30am at St. Andrew’s Church, 81 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA 18940.  His Funeral Mass will follow at 11:30am.  Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Mass cards or contributions can be made in his name to the Poor Clares, Order of Saint Clare Monastery, Langhorne, PA. (https://poorclarepa.org

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