The Rev. James Brendan O’Riordan, former pastor of St. Michael Catholic Church and canonical administrator for Vicksburg Catholic School, died Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, at the age of 72.

Rev. O’Riordan was born July 18, 1940, in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. He was ordained on June 6, 1964, at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Carlow, Ireland, for the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson.

During Rev. O’Riordan’s ministry, he served as associate pastor of Our Lady of the Gulf in Bay St. Louis, Our Lady of Fatima in Biloxi, Immaculate Conception in Laurel and St. Mary Cathedral in Natchez. He served first as substitute vicar and then as administrator at St. Charles Borromeo in Picayune. He served as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Shaw, Annunciation in Columbus, St. Michael in Vicksburg, All Saints Church in Belzoni and its mission, Our Mother of Mercy in Anguilla. He also served as an extraordinary confessor to the Sisters of Mercy at McAuley Home in Vicksburg. He retired from active ministry in January 2009, at which time he returned to Vicksburg and made his home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Catherine Moriarity O’Riordan; and a brother, Michael O’Riordan.

Rev. O’Riordan is survived by a sister, Joan O’Riordan O’Shea (John); three brothers, Dan O’Riordan (Mary), Charlie O’Riordan (Noreen) and Timmy O’Riordan (Katie); 12 nephews and nieces; and 17 grand-nephews and -nieces.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Michael Catholic Church, followed by interment at Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of Riles Funeral Home. Visitation will be at the church from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday with a wake service at 7.

Pallbearers will be members of the clergy.

Memorials may be made to the St. Michael Catholic Church Building Fund, 100 St. Michael Place, Vicksburg, MS 39180.