October 25, 2022
REST IN PEACE
Aidan A. Licari, 89, went home to meet the Lord on October 25, 2022. Born in Medford, Massachusetts on March 19, 1933, Aidan entered the Franciscan Order of Immaculate Conception Province at an early age and took the name, Aidan. He professed solemn vows and was later ordained to the Catholic Priesthood in May 1961. He studied for and obtained his doctorate in Systematic Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Anthony in Roma, Italy where he was present for the opening of the Second Vatican Council and attended several sessions. Upon returning to the States, he taught theology for several years in the Immaculate Conception major seminary and helped co-pastor St. Columbia's parish in upstate New York with Monsignor Joseph Tracy in Hopewell, N.J. A short time later he was asked to govern Good Counsel Friary in Morgantown, W.V. with the help of his long time friend and co-friar, Jude Mili. Together they began an ecumenical retreat house. In 1975, Aidan felt called to marry Ruth Pelusio and took a position of teaching religion, Italian and drivers' ed in the Christian Brothers' Academy in Lincroft, N.J. He found employment in the Archdiocese of Mobile where he successfully taught religion at McGill Toolen High School for five years and was later invited by Bishop John L. May to set up a lay ministry program for the Archdiocese. Aidan directed this program (TIPS) for 30 years with the blessing of Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb. Some found it difficult to accept Aidan's approach in challenging people to consider the teaching of the Gospel of Jesus as interpreted by the Second Vatican Council and after retiring as director of TIPS he found employment in Springhill College as an adjunct in the theology faculty. Aidan was active in parishes as a Eucharistic minister and lector and preached parish missions under the auspices of the Isaiah Mission program; he also played piano for liturgies when needed and offered his services as an instructor of Latin in several parish grammar schools. Aidan loved to garden and loved all animals; he spoke of being reunited with his dogs at the Rainbow Bridge. He leaves to be remembered by his wife Ruth's daughter Bonnie, who took tireless care of him in his declining years and many good friends. He wishes to give special thanks to Saads and to Kindred Hospice. Aidan wishes to be remembered as one who, in life, reached out to others so in death he asks that his "brother ass" (St. Francis Assisi' name for his body) be used to further medical science. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, November 18, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Our Savior Catholic Church on Cody Road, in Mobile.
Aidan was a long time member of CORPUS.