Paul L. Moritz, longest-serving Catholic priest in Boston, 97

MONSIGNOR PAUL MORITZ

Even into his 90s, Monsignor Paul L. Moritz never lost his spiritual drive.

"He continued to exercise his priestly ministry on weekends up until two years ago, when he was 95," said Monsignor James E. Tierney, director of Regina Cleri Residence. "He came to me and said to me, 'I think I'm a bit of a danger on the road.' But he was driving - and a good driver - until then."

Monsignor Moritz, the oldest and longest-serving priest in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, died Tuesday at Regina Cleri Residence in Boston. He was 97.

He was born and raised in Boston, where his father owned a fish market in Dorchester.

After he was ordained in 1941 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, he served at St. Columbkille in Brighton.

He later served at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted in Waltham, Sacred Heart in West Lynn, St. John the Evangelist in Canton, St. Mary of the Annunciation in Cambridge, and St. Ann in Peabody.

As pastor of St. Ann's Parish from 1968 to 1986, he earned the respect and admiration of parishioners, the Rev. Charles R. Stanley said.

Monsignor Moritz retired from his pastorate in 1986, but continued to be very active.

"He was not anxious to retire," Stanley said. "He was anxious to shape his role as priest, whether as delegate or as priest visitor."

Following his retirement in 1986, Monsignor Moritz served as administrator at St. Patrick's in Natick from 1988 to 1990 and interim vicar of the Merrimack region from 1990 to 1992.

He returned to St. Ann's in Peabody about three years ago to celebrate Mass on the weekends as a visiting priest, Stanley said.

"Even as a 95-, 96-, 97-year-old . . . the greatest thing in his life was to be with the people, and his greatest joy in life is to celebrate the Eucharist," Stanley said.

Colleagues and friends described him as helpful and always willing to serve.

"He was always there for whatever need the church had for him," Stanley said. "He was willing to respond to it."

Msgr. Moritz lived at the Regina Cleri Residence for three years.

"He became very much a part of the community," said James E. Tierney, the residence director. "We've lost a good friend and an exemplary priest."

"He had a kind of magnetism to people that was related to his identity as a priest," Stanley said. "Basically, it was a very Christ-centered faith in him that radiated out in everything that he did.

"No matter who he was near, no matter who the person was, wealthy or poor, he would express to them his love of the priesthood, his love of God, and his wish to be God's messenger to everybody," Stanley said.

In a statement, Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley said Monsignor Moritz "served Christ and his church for more than 67 years. He brought to his ministry grace, dignity, respect for the church, and a loving commitment to serve the Catholic faithful each day of his priesthood.

"We pray that the Lord grants him eternal rest and brings peace to all those who mourn his passing," O'Malley said. "We will miss him."

Earlier this year, Monsignor Moritz lamented the archdiocese's move from Brighton to Braintree, a shift made after the headquarters was sold to Boston College.

"I suppose we'll get accustomed to Braintree, but in the meantime, there's a sadness to it, you know?" Monsignor Moritz told the Globe in June.

"It's like losing your grandfather," he said. "This was our diocese, the heart of it, and you look around and it's not yours anymore. It's sad."

"My uncle Paul was a very wonderful man," said his niece, Mary Ann Moritz of East Granby, Conn. "He's always been really special, and I will miss him dearly."

She said that Monsignor Moritz never lost his tact.

"He never was not sharp," she said. "He had a great sense of humor, and he was very kind. I know that all of the people he touched in his life through being at many churches, I know they all cared about him and were drawn to him as a person."

Every Saturday night for the past few years, Monsignor Moritz and Stanley met for dinner at the Wardhurst Shish Kebab and Steakhouse in Peabody.

Monsignor Moritz did not have a favorite dish; he enjoyed talking about "the good old days."

"When he was reminiscing at the Wardhurst, he'd tell me about his youthful years," Stanley said. "We were well known there."

Stanley recalled Monsignor Moritz's accounts of his travels to Italy.

"While he was in Italy, he spotted a marble he liked," Stanley said. "He managed to get it, and it's now the marble of the altar here at St. Ann's."

In addition to his niece, Monsignor Moritz leaves a brother, Robert P. Moritz Sr. , of Canton, and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. tomorrow at Regina Cleri, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John the Evangelist Church in Canton. A funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. John the Evangelist. Monsignor Moritz will be burned at St. Mary's Cemetery in Canton.