• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Father A. Henry Kunkel III, ordained in 1970, was one of the longest-serving priests in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, guiding his Harford County parish for nearly three decades. (CR file)

Father Kunkel, ‘beloved’ pastor at St. Mary’s in Pylesville, dies at 79

September 19, 2022
By Gerry Jackson
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries

Father A. Henry Kunkel III, the beloved longtime pastor of St. Mary in Pylesville who led his rural church with a “family-centered” approach, died Sept. 18 at WellSpan York Hospital in Pennsylvania. The native of Peru was 79 and had been battling a number of ailments, including skin and prostate cancer.

Father Kunkel, ordained in 1970, was one of the longest-serving priests in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, guiding his Harford County parish for nearly three decades.

Father A. Henry Kunkel III, pastor of St. Mary in Pylesville, observes the construction of a parish center addition in 2009. (Owen Sweeney III/CR file)

“As far as I’m concerned, he is a candidate for sainthood,” said Deacon Phil Seneschal, who has served with Father Kunkel for the past 15 years at St. Mary. “He was just a happy priest and beloved by everyone in the community. He was a priest who was grateful to bring Christ to his parishioners both in the Eucharist and in his person.

“He was probably the most loved guy I’ve ever been around,” Deacon Seneschal said. “There are kids in this parish who grew up and don’t know anyone else as a pastor. He was your uncle first and then, when you got older, your brother. He was just a member of everyone’s family. What a great shepherd.”

Father Kunkel oversaw a $1.5 million renovation of the St. Mary parish center in 2009. 

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.

Father A. Henry Kunkel III, pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption in Pylesville, (left) is congratulated on the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood by Deacon Gary Dumer (center) and Auxiliary Bishop Denis J. Madden June 12, 2010. (Owen Sweeney III/CR file)

In a 2010 Catholic Review article on Father Kunkel’s milestone, longtime parishioner Vida Hedrick said at the time, “I love it here. It’s such a friendly church. I love [Father Kunkel]; he’s just lovely.” Parishioner Susie Oursler added: “It’s a wonderful, very small-town rural family parish. It’s family-centered, it’s uncomplicated and devoted.”

In May 2020, the parish held a car paraded due to the pandemic to celebrate Father Kunkel’s 50th ordination anniversary. Nearly 80 cars were driven to the event, and Father Kunkel’s anniversary was again celebrated with a Mass, which included Archbishop William E. Lori, on May 23, 2021.

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 at St. Lawrence Martyr in Woodlawn 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. In June 1993, he was appointed pastor of St. Mary in Pylesville, a position that he held until his death. 

Father Kunkel was born in Lima, Peru, Feb. 5, 1943. He attended elementary school in Peru and high school in Port Chester, N.Y., and Annapolis. 

He attended the University of Maryland, St. Charles College Seminary and St. Mary’s Seminary, Roland Park. 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. 

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. 

A sister, Karen Ahlstrom, and her husband, Richard, of Baltimore County, survive Father Kunkel.

Funeral arrangements are as follows, all taking place at St. Mary Parish, 1021 St. Mary’s Road, Pylesville, Md., 21132:

Saturday, Sept. 24
Viewing and visitation from 5-7 p.m., concluding with the Divine Mercy Chaplet
Location: St. Mary’s Parish Hall

Sunday, Sept. 25
Viewing and visitation from 9 a.m.-noon, concluding with the Rosary
Viewing and Visitation from 3-6 p.m., concluding with the Vigil service
Location: St. Mary’s Parish Hall

Monday, Sept. 26
Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. – Archbishop William Lori, celebrant and homilist
Location: St. Mary’s Church
Interment following in St. Mary’s Cemetery

This story was updated Oct. 19 with the correct site for St. Lawrence. 

Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@CatholicReview.org

Read More Obituaries

Sister of St. Francis Valerie Jarzembowski dies at 89

Sister Lewandowski, who taught in Archdiocese of Baltimore for 43 years, dies at 84

Daughter of Charity Elizabeth Ann Lingg, a pharmacist and hospital administrator, dies at 93

Christian Brother Kevin Stanton remembered for his repeated leadership at Calvert Hall

Terry Brashears, longtime employee in Archdiocese of Baltimore advancement, dies in car accident

With pastor’s touch, Pope Francis preached mercy, embraced ‘peripheries’

Copyright © 2022 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Gerry Jackson

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Bishop Lewandowski installed as bishop of Providence

  • Pope names new chancellor of institute for marriage, family sciences

  • Trump, Vance meet Pope Leo XIV’s brother in Oval Office

  • ‘Bishop Bruce’ forged strong bonds with Baltimore in challenging times, had heart of a pastor

  • A smiling Pope Leo waves to a crowd in St. Peter's Square A Ticket to Pope Leo’s First Papal Audience

| Latest Local News |

Pope Leo’s Creole roots raise hopes for Black American sainthood causes 

Bishop Lewandowski installed as bishop of Providence

Bishop Lewandowski adopts new coat of arms

‘Bishop Bruce’ forged strong bonds with Baltimore in challenging times, had heart of a pastor

Deacon Thomas O’Donnell of Catonsville experiences power of papal transition in Rome

| Latest World News |

Utah diocese’s Catholic refugee program gets helping hand from greater community

U.S. bishops urge young people to ‘lead the way’ on climate crisis

Popular priest podcaster takes ‘Parables’ tour cross-country to sold-out crowds

With Laudato Si’, Pope Francis firmly planted ecology into Catholic social teaching

House OKs Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’; Catholic leaders urge lawmakers to promote common good

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • 10 real quotes that Pope Leo has actually said
  • Utah diocese’s Catholic refugee program gets helping hand from greater community
  • Scrambled eggs in the car, Confirmation joy, and Wordle losses (7 Quick Takes)
  • Pope Leo’s Creole roots raise hopes for Black American sainthood causes 
  • U.S. bishops urge young people to ‘lead the way’ on climate crisis
  • Popular priest podcaster takes ‘Parables’ tour cross-country to sold-out crowds
  • With Laudato Si’, Pope Francis firmly planted ecology into Catholic social teaching
  • House OKs Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’; Catholic leaders urge lawmakers to promote common good
  • Story behind beatification of Poland’s Father Stanislaw Streich is one of quiet courage

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED