Rev. Philip Michael Tracy

SOUTH PORTLAND – Rev. Philip Michael Tracy, 94, died on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025.

Fr. Tracy was born in Portland on April 6, 1931, the third child of Patrick Joseph Tracy and Catherine Elizabeth Earles Tracy. He attended St. Dominic School in Portland, then Holy Cross School in South Portland. He graduated from Cheverus High School in 1949.

He then attended Our Lady of the Lake Seminary in Wawasee, Ind. for three years. In 1952 he entered Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky of the Order of Cistercians of the Stricter Observance (Trappists).

After three years, he was sent as one of the founders of Our Lady of New Clairvaux Abbey in California. With due permission, he left the Monastery in 1967 and returned to Maine to serve as a Diocesan Priest.

In Maine, he served in parishes in Houlton, Saco, Portland, Presque Isle, Lyman, Calais, Sabattus and South Berwick. He also spent seven years as Newman Chaplain at Bates College in Lewiston. While serving in the above parishes and Bates College, he served also, for 20 years as director of the Apostolate to the Catholic Deaf Catholics of Maine.

He retired in 2001. In February of 2002 he began serving the Spanish Speaking Catholics of Portland, later expanding to include those of Lewiston, Bangor and Milbridge.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers John, Robert, William, and Bernard.

Fr. Tracy is survived by his sister, Christine Tracy Mallory; four sisters-in-law; and several nieces, nephews; and other extended family members.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Reception of the Body and Liturgy of the Hours at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Rd., South Portland. Fr. Tracy will lie in state at the church until 7 p.m. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11, at Holy Cross Church with The Most Reverend James T. Ruggieri as Principal Celebrant. Rev. Philip A. Tracy will be the homilist. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland. To view Fr. Tracy’s memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com

In lieu of flowers,

South Portland Food Cupboard

130 Thadeus St.

South Portland, ME 04106