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Father Charles P. McHale, the pastor emeritus of Holy Name of Jesus parish in Otisville, died Dec. 30 in the Hospice Center, Brooksville, Fla. He was 83. Father McHale was pastor of Holy Name of Jesus from 1984 until his retirement in 1995. He was named administrator of the parish in 1983. Before that, he was pastor of St. Patrick's parish, Verplanck, 1977-1983. Cardinal Egan was to offer the Funeral Mass on Jan. 6 at Holy Name of Jesus Church, with a homily to be delivered by Msgr. John J. Budwick, pastor of St. Patrick's, Newburgh. An active and enthusiastic pastor, Father McHale organized a parish council and a youth group, and ran a Bible study group. He also oversaw the fund raising and construction of a new parish center. Well-known in the community, he was honored for the 40th anniversary of his priesthood in 1990 by then-Orange County Executive Mary McPhillips, who proclaimed June 3 of that year as Father Charles P. McHale Day, calling him "an extraordinary servant of God." "All citizens should join me in applauding his unselfish devotion and love for his fellow man," she said, "and for the enrichment he gives to all he touches." Born in Manhattan, Father McHale studied for the priesthood at Cathedral College and St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie. He was ordained in 1950. He served at the following parishes: St. Charles Borromeo, Dover Plains; Sacred Heart, Mount Vernon; Immaculate Conception, Tuckahoe; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Manhattan; Sacred Heart, Patterson; and St. Peter's, Kingston. He is survived by a sister, Mary F. O'Connell. Burial was to be in Holy Name of Jesus Cemetery, Otisville.
