Father John J. Fox died May 14, 2015, at Kenmore Mercy Hospital, at age 81.

He was born Aug. 23, 1933, to Patrick J. and Mary Elizabeth (Sexton) Fox. He attended the Diocesan Preparatory Seminary in Buffalo and Our Lady of Angels Seminary at Niagara University. Father Fox was ordained March 12, 1960, in Buffalo. In 1960, he was named a missionary apostolate at St. Mark Parish in Rushford. In 1961, Father Fox  became assistant pastor of St. Ambrose in Buffalo.

In 1962, he was assistant pastor of St. Mary in Holley. From 1962-1974, he was assistant pastor of St. William in West Seneca and, from 1974-1980, of St. Aloysius in Cheektowaga. From 1980-1992, he was pastor of St. Vincent in Attica. In 1992, he resigned due to medical reasons and retired in 1997.

He was a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus, served the Holy Name Society at St. Pius X in Getzville and was chaplain of the Winchester Fire Department.

He is survived by a sister, Mary Teresa Sullivan.

A wake will be held 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, at the Amigone Funeral Home, 2600 Sheridan Drive, Tonawanda.

Father Fox will lie-in-state 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, at St. Pius X Church, 1700 North French Road, Getzville. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m., then burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kenmore.