Reverend Leo Cumming, M.S.'s Obituary
Reverend Leo B. Cummings, age 70, a Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette died in Tranquility Hospice in Austell, GA on September 14, 2009. Father Leo, son of the late John L. Cummings and Mary B. (Stratton) Cummings was born on February 3, 1939 in New York City. After his family moved to New London, CT he attended school there. He completed high school at the La Salette Junior Seminary in Hartford and entered the La Salette Novitiate in Bloomfield on July 1, 1959 and professed his first vows on July 2, 1960. After completing his studies at La Salette Seminaries in Altamont, NY and Ipswich, MA, he was ordained to the priesthood at the La Salette Shrine in Ipswich, MA on May 28, 1966. Father Leo was first assigned to the La Salette House of Studies in Washington, DC where he served as Treasurer while taking courses in Library Science at Catholic University. The following year he was named Treasurer and Librarian at the La Salette Seminary in Altamont. After appointments as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Hartford, CT and St. James Church in Danielson, CT, Father Leo was called to service within the La Salette Community and over the years held positions of Formation Director, Vocation Director, Superior and Treasurer of the La Salette Residence in Hartford, CT, and Director of Pastoral Planning. In 1993 he returned to parish ministry as Pastor of St. Clement Parish in Calhoun, GA and then as Parochial Vicar at St. Ann Church in Marietta, GA. In recent years, declining health limited Farther Cummings’ ministerial activities. Father Leo was a devoted chaplain to Marriage Encounter couples in New England and North Georgia and served on the National Board to Marriage Encounter. In 2004, he was named in residence at St. Thomas the Apostle Rectory in Smyrna, GA. In addition to his La Salette confreres, he is survived by two cousins, Mrs. Virginia Murphy of Somerset, MA and Mr. George Stratton of Greensboro, NC, as well as many friends. Viewing will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Smyrna, GA on Thursday, September 17, 2009 from 6:00 until 9:00 PM and also on Friday prior to the mass. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, September 18, 2009 at 11:00 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Interment will be Monday at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield, CT.
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