The Chancellor’s Office received word that Monsignor James “Aiden” Foynes, 90, a retired priest of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, passed away in the Lord on Thursday afternoon, August 20, 2026, at Mease Countryside Hospital, Clearwater, following a recent decline in health, which occurred briefly after his return from a trip to his native Ireland, where he visited many beloved friends and family members.

Monsignor Foynes was the seventh of eight children and was born on May 1, 1936 to Michael and Ellen (Leddy) Foynes in Butlersbridge, County Cavan, Ireland. After completing his seminary studies at St. Kieran’s College, in Kilkenny, he was ordained on June 4, 1961 for the Diocese of St. Augustine. Upon the establishment of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg in 1968, Monsignor Foynes became an incardinated priest of this Diocese.

Shortly after his ordination, he served as Parochial Vicar of St. Cecelia Parish, Clearwater (1961-1963) and Incarnation Parish, Sarasota (1963-1966). In 1666, he was appointed full-time to the faculty of Cardinal Mooney High School, Sarasota, where he taught until 1968, when he was temporarily reassigned as Parochial Vicar of St. Cecelia Parish, Clearwater. The following year, Monsignor Foynes was assigned as Pastor of Espiritu Santo Parish, Safety Harbor, while also serving as School Pastor of Clearwater Central Catholic High School.

In 1975, Bishop Charles B. McLaughlin appointed Monsignor Foynes as Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, New Port Richey, where he remained for 18 years until June 1, 1993, when, upon appointment by Bishop John C. Favalora, he returned to St. Cecelia Parish as its Pastor, where he remained until his retirement on July 1, 2005. Throughout his retirement years, he resided in Clearwater, where he regularly provided assistance to the community of St. Cecelia for as long as his health permitted.

During his 44 years of active ministry, Monsignor Foynes served in other diocesan assignments, including as Vicar Forane (Dean) of the Northern Deanery, and later the Pasco Deanery. He was also a member of the College of Consultors, the Clergy Personnel Board, and the Clergy Incardination Committee. Additionally, he served as Moderator of the Upper Pinellas Deanery Chapter of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.

In August 1999, at the request of Bishop Robert N. Lynch, he was appointed as Prelate of Honor of His Holiness, by Pope John Paul II, being granted the honorary title of “Monsignor.” In 2014, his brother priests honored Monsignor Foynes with the Father Luis de Cancer Award for Distinguished Priestly Service. In March of this year, he was honored for his 65 years of priestly ministry during our diocesan Chrism Mass.

Monsignor Foynes was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Ellen, and his seven siblings, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Condell, Sarah (Sally) Foynes, Patrick (Paddy) Foynes, Michael (Mick) Foynes, William (Willie) Foynes, Eileen Greenan, and Bridgid Lloyd. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Eleanore (Lori) Foynes, 14 nieces and nephews, and many dear friends, and members of the Christian faithful whose lives he has touched over the years.

All funeral services will be held on Friday, September 4, 2026, at St. Cecelia Catholic Church, 820 Jasmine Way, Clearwater. Arrangements will be as follows:
Visitation: 9:00 a.m.
Funeral Mass: 11:00 a.m.
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of Saint Petersburg, will be the Main Celebrant.
Burial will immediately follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 5233 118th Avenue N., Clearwater.
Clergy wishing to vest are invited to bring an alb. All other vestments will be provided.
For those unable to attend the Funeral Mass, it will be available via livestream video at the following link: https://stceceliachurch.org/livestream/.

Expressions of sympathy may be addressed to the Family of Rev. Msgr. Aiden Foynes, c/o Office of the Chancellor, Diocese of Saint Petersburg, P.O. Box 40200, St. Petersburg, FL 33743-0200.

Please keep Monsignor Foynes’s family and loved ones in your kind thoughts and prayers.

Obituary pdf here.

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May his soul and the souls of all the faithful
departed, by the mercy of God, rest in peace!