DETROIT — Fr. Edward Joseph Mitchell passed away on Jan. 9, 2020, at the age of 91, nearly 66 years after his ordination to the priesthood. 

He was ordained a priest in 1954 at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit, leading to a long and fruitful career as a priest and a compassionate and personable pastor to the many communities he served over the years. 

In 2019, he celebrated a milestone jubilee of 65 years of service alongside 36 other priests during a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron. 

Fr. Mitchell worked as associate pastor at St. Basil the Great in Eastpointe (1954-58) and St. Mary of Redford in Detroit (1958-60). From 1960-62, he served on the Metropolitan Tribunal, and later as a chaplain of Rosary High School from 1962-66. In 1966, he was chaplain at University Medical Center, Ann Arbor.

He served as associate pastor at St. Matthew in Detroit (1966-70); as vicarious adjutor at St. Mary Magdalen, Melvindale (1970), before being made pastor from 1971-76. He was vicar of the former Southland Vicariate from 1974-76.

Fr. Mitchell served as pastor of St. Joan of Arc in St. Clair Shores (1976-92), and during his final years of service he was pastor of St. Irenaeus in Rochester Hills (1992-2000). He was granted senior status in 2000.

During his time at St. Irenaeus, he helped expand the catechetical program, worked closely with the parish council and oversaw the construction of new parish buildings and infrastructure. 

“His greatest gift was that he was a very compassionate person and very concerned about financials,” said Pat Egan-Myers, director of catechetics and sacramental ministry at St. Irenaeus who worked with Fr. Mitchell from 1992-2000. “He was a good steward of the parish resources and made sure that the books were always balanced. He made sure that he provided the new buildings that we desperately needed.” 

Fr. Mitchell was very personal, Egan-Myers said, and he took the time to get to know his parishioners and listen to their concerns. 

Beyond his business acumen, Fr. Mitchell was incredibly well-read and was a lifelong, dedicated scriptural scholar, Egan-Myers said. However, he was multifaceted, regularly enjoying his favorite breakfast of bacon and eggs, and he was known to visit the children’s classrooms and read aloud from his joke book. 

According to an online obituary, Fr. Mitchell loved to explore the state of Michigan and traveled “by foot, bicycle, and motorcycle on his camping excursions throughout the state.”

Fr. Mitchell’s legacy will live on through the educational programs at St. Irenaeus. “Father was very easygoing, but he knew what he wanted and was able to get it,” Egan-Myers said.