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
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Rev. PhilipM.TracyRite of Reception and Liturgy of the Hours
Rite of Reception and Liturgy of the Hours
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
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2025-09-10 17:00:00
2025-09-10 07:00:00
Rev. PhilipM.TracyVisiting Hours
Visiting Hours
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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2025-09-11 10:00:00
2025-09-11 10:00:00
Rev. PhilipM.TracyMass of Christian Burial
Mass of Christian Burial
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
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
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Fr.Phil was truly family oriented. Will always be grateful for the gatherings he organized.
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.
Thanks for the soup. Ruth
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.
Peace and prayers,
Pat M. 😊 😂
The Radomski family send it thoughts and prayers to our good neighbors of walnut street on the loss of a special member of our church community and home community
We met Fr Tracy first as Sacred Heart St Dominic’s parish where he was often a celebrant. We also met him sitting on the Tracy bench @ Bug Light where he would sit on the bench he had dedicated to hi parents. He told us he would ‘sit there to pray & talk to his mother ‘as often as his schedule allowed.’ The Tracy bench is one of the first few benches from the parking lot… We will miss him..
Christine & Family
We are so very sorry to hear of the passing of Philip. He was truly a wonderful man. We have such great memories of him and his visits. Our thoughts are with you all at this time.
With much love,
The Brimecombe family
May you rest in peace Fr. Tracy.
Thank you for celebrating Mass at St. Catherine’s residence daily.
It was so nice to see you attend the Hljy Week services.
You were so glad to be able to do so.
Your love for God was so evident in your celebration of the Mass.
God love and bless you!
Godspeed Father….
God bless Father Tracy. He was so kind. I always appreciated seeing him when he would visit at the Pastoral Center of the Cathedral. Thank God for his life and service to the people of Maine.
We have lost a beautiful priest and the sound of the Mass in his voice.
Fr. Phil was my Newman Chaplain at Bates College (1974 – 1977).
He later officiated at Kathy and my wedding in 1983 (Phil also officiated at the wedding of my sister and her husband).
I live in Chicago now but had planned to visit Fr Phil again in Maine this October.
He will be greatly missed.
Ken Kulas
We express our Condolences to Chestine and all her relatives for the passing on of Father Phil Tracy. We knew Father Phil for many years, Our oldest son Ken Kulas attended Bated College in 1975 and was a member of Fathers Newman Council through 1979. He married our son Ken down here in Suffield Ct. in 1983, and In 1981 Father married our daughter here in Suffield also. We have had a wonderful family relationship for many years after with Father. We have been fortunate to known this wonderful Man. Rest in peace Father. We all will miss you, our Love and prayers are with you. Peter and Fran Kulas