Obituary-img

Rev. Philip M. Tracy

April 6, 1931 ~ September 1, 2025

South Portland – Rev. Philip Michael Tracy, 94, died on Monday, September 1, 2025.

Fr. Tracy was born in Portland on April 6, 1931, the third child of Patrick Joseph Tracy and Catherine Elizabeth Earles Tracy. He attended St. Dominic School in Portland, then Holy Cross School in South Portland. He graduated from Cheverus High School in 1949.

He then attended Our Lady of the Lake Seminary in Wawasee, Indiana for three years. In 1952 he entered Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky of the Order of Cistercians of the Stricter Observance (Trappists).

After three years, he was sent as one of the founders of Our Lady of New Clairvaux Abbey in California. With due permission, he left the Monastery in 1967 and returned to Maine to serve as a Diocesan Priest.

In Maine, he served in parishes in Houlton, Saco, Portland, Presque Isle, Lyman, Calais, Sabattus and South Berwick. He also spent seven years as Newman Chaplain at Bates College in Lewiston. While serving in the above parishes and Bates College, he served also, for 20 years as director of the Apostolate to the Catholic Deaf Catholics of Maine.

He retired in 2001. In February of 2002 he began serving the Spanish Speaking Catholics of Portland, later expanding to include those of Lewiston, Bangor and Milbridge.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his brothers, John, Robert, William, and Bernard.

Fr. Tracy is survived by his sister, Christine Tracy Mallory; 4 sister’s-in-law and several nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

Relatives and Friends are invited to attend a Reception of the Body and Liturgy of the Hours at 4PM on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Fr. Tracy will lie in state at the church until 7PM. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10AM on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Holy Cross Church with The Most Reverend James T. Ruggieri as Principal Celebrant. Rev. Philip A. Tracy will be the homilist. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland. To view Fr. Tracy’s memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com

In lieu of flowers, South Portland Food Cupboard, 130 Thadeus Street, South Portland, ME  04106

Services

Rite of Reception and Liturgy of the Hours: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Holy Cross Catholic Church
124 Cottage Road
South Portland, Maine 04106


Visiting Hours: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Holy Cross Catholic Church
124 Cottage Road
South Portland, Maine 04106


Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, September 11, 2025 10:00 am

Holy Cross Catholic Church
124 Cottage Road
South Portland, Maine 04106


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Charities

The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Rev. Philip M. Tracy 's name.

South Portland Food Cupboard

​130 Thadeus Street

South Portland,

Maine

04106

www.southportlandfoodcupboard.org

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Father Tracy was truly a people’s priest. He was Kind to all, rich or poor, and he spoke to everyone. He loved everyone and I truly enjoyed my conversations with him. He will be missed but I know he is looking down from heaven and smiling.

  2. Father Phil was the first to welcome me to Breakwater. He seldom missed an opportunity to stop and chat. His presence at any gathering was always a plus. No one worked harder than he to make life better for others. It was my good fortune to have known him. Condolences to his family.

  3. I met Fr. Tracy s a college student at Bates 50 years ago. His kindness and example of love for all has had a lasting impact on my life journey. He did more than say Mass on campus. He taught sign language and Greek dancing and he was a great cook with hospitality overflowing around his table. He was a lot like Jesus. ❤️

  4. Father Tracy came to St Michael’s Church in South Berwick a month before our wedding. We did not have long to get to know him, but he helped make our wedding, beautiful and meaningful. Father Tracy baptized all three of our sons. At my last son’s baptism he mentioned in his homely it had been a long time since he married a couple and then had the privilege to baptize their children. Father Tracy will always have a place in our hearts. May he rest in peace.


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