02/16/2026
Reverend Joseph M. Fowler, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville, died on February 14, 2026.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.
Fr. Fowler, born May 15, 1935, was baptized at Saint Benedict Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended elementary school at Saint Peter and Saint George in Louisville, Kentucky, high school and college at Saint Mary’s in Saint Mary, Kentucky, and major seminary at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, in Saint Meinrad, Indiana. He was ordained a priest on May 27, 1961.
Following ordination, Father Fowler served as pastor at Saint Bernard, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and Holy Trinity, all in Louisville, Kentucky. He served as associate pastor at Saint Columba, Saint Aloysius (Shepherdsville), Our Lady, Saints Simon and Jude, and Saint Rita; and, as administrator at Saint Cecilia and Our Lady. His first summer residency was at Saint William.
Father Fowler also served as a teacher at Trinity High School while in residence at the Trinity Faculty House; as assistant chaplain (in residence) at Saint Thomas-Saint Vincent Home while teaching at Trinity High School, and as co-chaplain at Mercy Academy. He was also an associate director of the vocation office for the Archdiocese of Louisville. He co-founded Hand in Hand Ministries with his brother, the late Wayne Fowler.
A Memorial Mass will be held at Holy Trinity, Louisville, on Friday, February 20 at 11 a.m. The family will hold a Celebration of Life at Most Blessed Sacrament on Sunday, March 15 from 1 p.m.- 3 p.m. It is open to everyone.
