Obituary for Reverend A. Henry Kunkel, III
Obituary prepared for Reverend Anthony Henry Kunkel III by a dedicated parisoner-
Father A. Henry Kunkel III, 79, the beloved pastor of St. Mary, Pylesville who led his rural church with a “family-centered” approach, died on Sunday, September 18 after enduring a long period of illness. Father Kunkel, who served St. Mary’s as pastor for 29 years, well past typical retirement age, had said to many ‘I want to die with my boots on’ and that he did. The Lord took him home before his planned retirement in July 2023. Ordained in 1970, he was one of the longest-serving priests in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Father Kunkel was born in Lima, Peru, February 5, 1943, while his parents, Anthony and Catherine Kunkel, were stationed there for his father’s career. He attended elementary school in Peru and high school in Port Chester, N.Y., and in Annapolis.
He attended the University of Maryland, St. Charles College Seminary and St. Mary’s Seminary, Roland Park. In the summer months prior to his ordination, Father Kunkel served as a missionary in hospitals and prisons in Peru where he also taught and worked in social work.
Father Kunkel received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and was ordained to the priesthood May 16, 1970 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore.
Father Kunkel celebrated his first Mass at St. Athanasius in Curtis Bay in 1970, where he also was a transitional deacon from 1969 to 1970. His first parish assignment was St. Lawrence Martyr, then in Jessup, from 1971 to 1975. In November 1975, Father Kunkel became chaplain for Franklin Square Medical Center and part-time assistant at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Middle River. In June 1983, Father Kunkel became pastor of St. Augustine in Elkridge, a position he held for 10 years, until his assignment as pastor at St. Mary, Pylesville.
At St. Mary, Father Kunkel was involved in everything from jousting tournaments to chicken dinners and outreach programs that included a food pantry and 20 active ministries. At a Mass in 2010 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Father Kunkel’s ordination, the priest was praised for his “loving” spirit and his “living witness to the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.” The anniversary Mass coincided with the dedication of a new parish center.
The deep love of his parishioners was evident in May 2020 on Father Kunkel’s 50th anniversary when despite the pandemic; St. Mary’s held a car parade to allow parishioners and other members of the community to express their appreciation for Father’s long service. The Car Parade for Father Kunkel was a joyous parish event.
On May 23, 2021, Archbishop Lori celebrated the long-delayed 50th anniversary Mass outside on a glorious Spring Sunday. Withstanding the test of time on his journey of discipleship, Father Kunkel has been steadfast to his commitment at Ordination: “Today I am given to you by God that I might serve you, and that together we might serve Him.”
We keep in prayer, Karen and Richard Ahlstrom, Father Kunkel’s sister and brother-in-law, whose love supported him throughout his ministry.
Viewings will be held at St. Mary, Pylesville Parish, 1021 St. Mary’s Road, Pylesville, MD: in the Parish Hall on Saturday, September 24, from 5 pm to 7 pm with Chaplet of Divine Mercy to close the evening. On Sunday, September 25, from 9 am to noon in the hall followed with the Rosary recited by the Mason-Dixon Council #10100 of the Knights of Columbus and on Sunday, September 25 in the parish church from 3 pm until 5:45 with Vigil Prayers to close the afternoon. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 26 at 11 am at St. Mary, Pylesville with interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Overflow seating will be available in the Parish Hall where the Mass will be livestreamed.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Mary, Pylesville, 1021 St. Mary’s Road, Pylesville, MD 21132
Father A. Henry Kunkel III, 79, the beloved pastor of St. Mary, Pylesville who led his rural church with a “family-centered” approach, died on Sunday, September 18 after enduring a long period of illness. Father Kunkel, who served St. Mary’s as pastor for 29 years, well past typical retirement age, had said to many ‘I want to die with my boots on’ and that he did. The Lord took him home before his planned retirement in July 2023. Ordained in 1970, he was one of the longest-serving priests in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Father Kunkel was born in Lima, Peru, February 5, 1943, while his parents, Anthony and Catherine Kunkel, were stationed there for his father’s career. He attended elementary school in Peru and high school in Port Chester, N.Y., and in Annapolis.
He attended the University of Maryland, St. Charles College Seminary and St. Mary’s Seminary, Roland Park. In the summer months prior to his ordination, Father Kunkel served as a missionary in hospitals and prisons in Peru where he also taught and worked in social work.
Father Kunkel received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and was ordained to the priesthood May 16, 1970 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore.
Father Kunkel celebrated his first Mass at St. Athanasius in Curtis Bay in 1970, where he also was a transitional deacon from 1969 to 1970. His first parish assignment was St. Lawrence Martyr, then in Jessup, from 1971 to 1975. In November 1975, Father Kunkel became chaplain for Franklin Square Medical Center and part-time assistant at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Middle River. In June 1983, Father Kunkel became pastor of St. Augustine in Elkridge, a position he held for 10 years, until his assignment as pastor at St. Mary, Pylesville.
At St. Mary, Father Kunkel was involved in everything from jousting tournaments to chicken dinners and outreach programs that included a food pantry and 20 active ministries. At a Mass in 2010 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Father Kunkel’s ordination, the priest was praised for his “loving” spirit and his “living witness to the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.” The anniversary Mass coincided with the dedication of a new parish center.
The deep love of his parishioners was evident in May 2020 on Father Kunkel’s 50th anniversary when despite the pandemic; St. Mary’s held a car parade to allow parishioners and other members of the community to express their appreciation for Father’s long service. The Car Parade for Father Kunkel was a joyous parish event.
On May 23, 2021, Archbishop Lori celebrated the long-delayed 50th anniversary Mass outside on a glorious Spring Sunday. Withstanding the test of time on his journey of discipleship, Father Kunkel has been steadfast to his commitment at Ordination: “Today I am given to you by God that I might serve you, and that together we might serve Him.”
We keep in prayer, Karen and Richard Ahlstrom, Father Kunkel’s sister and brother-in-law, whose love supported him throughout his ministry.
Viewings will be held at St. Mary, Pylesville Parish, 1021 St. Mary’s Road, Pylesville, MD: in the Parish Hall on Saturday, September 24, from 5 pm to 7 pm with Chaplet of Divine Mercy to close the evening. On Sunday, September 25, from 9 am to noon in the hall followed with the Rosary recited by the Mason-Dixon Council #10100 of the Knights of Columbus and on Sunday, September 25 in the parish church from 3 pm until 5:45 with Vigil Prayers to close the afternoon. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 26 at 11 am at St. Mary, Pylesville with interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Overflow seating will be available in the Parish Hall where the Mass will be livestreamed.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Mary, Pylesville, 1021 St. Mary’s Road, Pylesville, MD 21132