With sadness we share the news of the death of the Rev. Oscar Alling Mockridge, III, age 80, on April 24, 2017 at his home in West Orange. His funeral will be held at 10 AM on Friday, April 28, 2017 at St. Luke’s Church in Montclair. Following the reception, interment is at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Newark.
Born on April 11, 1937 in Newark, NJ to Oscar A. Mockridge, Jr. and Georgie Wilson Mockridge, Oscar graduated from the Montclair Academy in 1955 and Princeton University in 1959 majoring in Pre-Med and Religion. He attended Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, MA (class of 1965).
After ordination to the diaconate in June 1965 by Bishop Leland Stark and to the priesthood in December 1965 by Bishop George E. Rath, Oscar served St. Peter’s, Mountain Lakes (Curate 1965-1967); Trinity, Irvington (Rector 1967-1970); and Annunciation, Oradell (Rector, 1970-1972).
In 1975, Oscar received his Master of Public Administration from New York University. He went on to mental health administration at Barnert Hospital and at homeless shelters in New York City. Oscar was able to significantly reduce violence in the shelter system with his kindness and respect for the clients. Following this experience, he became certified in Pastoral Counseling in 1992 at the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health, NY, and joined their staff as a therapist to the chronically mentally ill. In 2000, he became the Outreach Pastoral Associate at Grace, Madison until his retirement in 2004.
During retirement, Oscar provided weekly religious services to the residents of a local assisted living facility, enjoyed assisting at St. Luke’s, Montclair and attended Dunworkin Club and Now or Never with fellow retirees. Oscar had a life-long passion for classical music. He was also a member of the Washington Association of New Jersey and General Society of Colonial Wars.
The compassion, patience and kindness that exemplified Oscar will be missed by those who knew him.
Oscar is survived by his wife of 53 years, Anne Hallowell Mockridge, his two children and their families: son, Oscar Alling Mockidge, IV, his wife Caroline, and three sons (Henry, Brewster and Chase); and daughter Kendall Annable, husband Stephen and two sons (Spencer and Drew). Oscar was predeceased by his sister, Jane Alyce Mockridge.
Condolences may be sent to Anne Mockridge at 358 Stiles Court, West Orange, NJ 07052.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to SAGE ElderCare in Summit or the Montclair History Center (formerly the Montclair Historical Society).
Good and gracious God, the light of the faithful and shepherd of souls, you sent your servant Oscar to be a priest in your Church to feed your sheep with your word and to guide them by his example; give us the grace to keep the faith he taught and to follow in his footsteps. We entrust him into your unfailing mystery of Love and Hope through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
