Father John Francis Lesnick

The Reverend John Francis Lesnick, 71, of Taneytown, Maryland died peacefully on Friday, February 26, 2021 at the Rectory of St. Joseph Catholic parish in Taneytown, Maryland.

Fr. John was born and raised in East Baltimore, son of the late John G. and Leona F. (Meyer) Lesnick. The eldest of four children, Father Lesnick grew up at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Highlandtown and Church of the Annunciation in Rosedale.  He attended Saint Elizabeth grade school, Patterson High School, the University of Maryland, St. Mary’s Seminary in Roland Park and Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg. Father was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop William D. Borders on May 20, 1978.  Prior to his ordination, he served as a parish organist and music director. After his diaconal ordination, Father Lesnick was appointed as a deacon at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Middle River, MD where he served from June of 1977 through June of 1978.

Father Lesnick served as associate pastor of St. William of York in Baltimore, 1978-80; St. Michael in Frostburg, 1980-81; St. Rose of Lima in Brooklyn, 1981-83; St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park, 1983-86; St. Clement Mary Hofbauer in Rosedale, 1986-87; Our Lady of Hope in Dundalk, 1987-1992; and St. Michael the Archangel in Overlea, 1992-98.  Father Lesnick served as chaplain at St. Elizabeth Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Baltimore, 1998-2005. In the mid-2000s, he was also chaplain at St. Martin’s Home for the Aged in Catonsville. After a sabbatical, he served in special ministry at St. Augustine in Williamsport in 2006, before being named administrator and pastor of St. Peter in Hancock 2006-2009.  After a discernment sabbatical, Father Lesnick returned to special ministry, first at St. Timothy in Walkersville and then at St. Patrick in Cumberland, both in 2010. He was a chaplain at Frederick Memorial Hospital while also serving at St. Anthony Shrine in Emmitsburg and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Thurmont until 2013.  From 2013 to 2015, Father Lesnick was associate pastor of St. John in Westminster and an area health care minister at Carroll Hospital Center.  On July 1, 2015, Archbishop William E. Lori named him pastor of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Taneytown, Maryland.  He was the pastor of that parish at the time of his death. 

Father Lesnick’s younger brother Albert indicated that his older brother “always had my back, even though there were seven years between us…” The two boys shared a bedroom until Father Lesnick left to attend college. Mr. Lesnick remembered his brother’s involvement in the Boy Scouts, his love of music and his devotion to the organ to the point that Father John “was asked to play at weddings, at Mass and at funerals when he was still a teenager. He also noted that his brother wanted to be a priest from an early age, acting as the “priest” for a “wedding” between neighborhood children when he was still in elementary school. Father Lesnick struggled with formal academic studies but worked hard to master any school subject. Mr. Lesnick said that his brother initially went to a seminary high school, but could not master the Latin needed to go on to be a priest. As a result, Father John entered the University of Maryland and studied to be a music teacher since this was his “back-up plan” if he could not be a priest. When the changes from Vatican II were clear, Father Lesnick was invited back to study at the college seminary and then to complete his studies in preparation for priestly ordination. Monsignor Robert Hartnett, a longtime friend from their college seminary days together, remembered that Father John “was especially good with elderly people and the sick…he was very kind in those situation.” He took particularly good care of his mother in her declining years. Father Lesnick was also devoted to many of the pious practices in the Church, frequently making sure that a person who asked for a priestly blessing would also receive a blessed medal or scapula. “He was not a limelight kind of guy, but would defer attention to others”, according to Monsignor Hartnett. Many saw him as a quiet man “until you got to know him and then he would be quite a talker.” Father Lesnick enjoyed going out to dinner with friends initially in the Baltimore area and later in Taneytown once he was assigned as pastor in that area. He and other priest friends would drive out to the Bavarian Inn at Shepherdstown, West Virginia on occasion to enjoy both the drive and the food. Father Lesnick was an accomplished organist who loved music and people. Monsignor Hartnett recalled that “he was always concerned about the needs of the people and was very focused on his ministry” and this was often the main subject of conversations together. Another friend, Monsignor James Hannon, said Father Lesnick was someone who “enjoyed talking to people one on one…he loved the Liturgy of the Hours and the pace of the day as marked by liturgical devotions.” Throughout his adult life, Father Lesnick had a strong interest in monastic prayer, to the point that he took time to discern whether he was called to the monastic life of the Trappists or the Benedictine monks. After each experience in these monasteries, Father Lesnick felt confirmed in his direct ministry to people. Father Lesnick was well known for his short homilies as noted by his brother Albert, who mentioned that their father had always complained about long winded preaching when they were children. He had a great sense of humor and a devotion to his people, whether he was ministering to them as a chaplain or as a pastor. All agreed that he had a special gift for one on one ministry where people felt heard and comforted by his kindness. Parishioners noted that many enjoyed his “World Famous Stories” that he would tell at the end of Mass on Sunday. Father Lesnick enjoyed reading and music but ministry was at the center of his life.

Surviving are brother, Albert Lesnick and wife Maria of Surf Side Beach, S.C.; sister, Patricia M. Lesnick of Highlandtown; nephews, John G. Lesnick and Joseph P. Lesnick and wife Jill; niece, Lisa M. Lesnick.  He was predeceased by a sister, Mary Anna Dunningan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Archbishop William E. Lori at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 5, 2021 at St. John Catholic Church, 43 Monroe St., Westminster, Maryland. Mass will be live streamed for those unable to attend at (https://www.facebook.com/saintjohnwestminster/).  A graveside service and burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery, 6515 Boston St., Baltimore, MD.  Parishioners and friends may view Father John from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 4th in the Nave of St. Joseph Catholic Church, 44 Frederick St., Taneytown, MD., where a Wake Service will be held at 5:30 p.m., and on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass at St. John.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Father John may be made to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME in Taneytown, Maryland. 

May he rest in peace. Please pray for Father Lesnick and may all the faithfully departed rest in peace. May God grant him eternal rest. Pray too for his family and friends who mourn his passing. May the promise of our faith be a source of hope and consolation for them.