Reverend Monsignor Joseph Samuel Lizor, Jr.

April 26, 1932 – May 18, 2026

Reverend Monsignor Joseph Samuel Lizor, Jr. was born on April 26, 1932, in Washington County, Maryland to Joseph Samuel Lizor, Sr. and the former Minnie Smith. He was raised as the oldest of seven children by devout Catholic parents in the Hagerstown area. Both his parents worked at St. Mary's parish in Hagerstown.

Monsignor Lizor was baptized at St. Mary's Parish in Hagerstown, MD on May 21, 1932, by the Reverend Thomas D. Reinhart. He was confirmed on May 2, 1943 at the same parish by the Most Reverend Peter L. Ireton, D.D., then serving as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Richmond. He attended elementary school at St. Mary's Parish in Hagerstown before receiving permission to enter St. Charles College in 1946. He continued his studies at St. Mary's on Paca Street. He completed his preparation for the priesthood at St. Mary's Seminary in Roland Park. He was ordained to the diaconate for the Archdiocese of Baltimore on June 6, 1957. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Baltimore on May 24, 1958, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore by His Excellency Francis Patrick Keough, D.D., Archbishop of Baltimore. He was named a Chaplain to His Holiness in May of 2006, by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

Monsignor Lizor was appointed to serve as an associate at Sacred Heart parish in Glyndon, MD after his ordination to the priesthood in 1958. He served at that location until he was assigned to work as a military chaplain in the US Army with the Archdiocese of Military Services in 1971. During his time in the military he served at Fort Hamilton, NY; Fort McClelland, AL; Youngsan, South Korea with the Second Infantry Division; Edgewood Arsenal, MD; Fort Monmouth, NJ; Turkey; Fort Richie, MD; Darmstadt, Germany; Fort Jackson, SC; the Army War College; and in Carlisle, PA. He retired from the military with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in June 1993. He was assigned as Associate Pastor at St. Agnes parish in Catonsville in 1993 and remained there until his appointment as Pastor of St. Luke parish in Edgemere in 1997. He retired from active ministry on January 1, 2012 but continued to assist at parishes and chapels in the Archdiocese until about a month prior to his death.

Sister Irene Pryle, SSND, who served as principal at St. Luke's Catholic school while Monsignor Lizor was pastor in the parish. She noted, "…he was very generous with his time and drove out to meet every single family in the parish when he arrived…he could tell you who was in church every Sunday and who was missing." He was "dedicated to his people and was there for then no matter what or when they called," according to Sister Pryle. She recalled that he led the parish through times of change and was there for everyone." She said "…people trusted him because he was all about them and not about himself…he also knew how to spend a dime 'on both sides' so the parish was always able to pay its bills."

"He would dress in his Army uniform for the 4th of July parade and help the children understand what it meant to serve in the military…," according to Sister Pryle. He was also dedicated to Catholic education since the sisters in Hagerstown had helped him enter preparation to become a priest. "He would visit the school often and even taught a class on how to invest in the stock market so students and others would understand how investing works." She continued, "he had a pilot's license and talked to the students about that and his travels while he served as a Catholic chaplain the military…he lived in Korea and Germany and many other places and shared this with the students." Sister Pryle indicated, "…he was truly a shepherd who made such an impact on the lives of his parishioners…he knew people needed welcome and he made sure he gave them that."

Ms. Dottie Neubauer and Ms. Linda Taylor also worked with him at different parish locations over the years. Ms. Neubauer said, "he was definitely a people person with a great sense of humor…he cared about people and their situations." Ms. Taylor noted that Monsignor Lizor "…was a priest 24/7 and made a point of always going to visit people whenever he had an invitation to do so…he put his parishioners first."

Monsignor Lizor is survived by his sisters Elizabeth Dayhoff and Margaret Lewis. He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings including the late William H. Lizor, Dorthy Bennett, Patricia Staubs and Janet Harnish. He was a devoted uncle to his many nieces and nephews as well as to their children.

Arrangements are as follows:

Our Lady of Hope Church, Dundalk

·         Monsignor Lizor will lie in state at Our Lady of Hope Church, 1727 Lynch Road, Dundalk, MD 21222 on Friday, May 22, 2026 from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm.

·         A funeral Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop William E. Lori, S.T.D., Archbishop of Baltimore on Friday May, 22, 2026 at 3:30 pm at the same church.

St. Mary's Church, Hagerstown

·         Monsignor Lizor will like in state at St. Mary's Church, 224 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740 on Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 10 am to 11 am.

·         A funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 11 am at the same church with interment to follow at Rest Haven Cemetery, 1601 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21742.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Priests Retirement Fund, Archdiocese of Baltimore, 320 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD   21201 or at https://www.archbalt.org/retiredpriests-giving/ .

May he rest in peace.

Please pray for Monsignor Lizor and may all the faithfully departed rest in peace.

May the 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.