The parish priest of St. Mark dies in his sleep at the age of 44; was a late calling

Parishioners and the faith community at St. Mark’s parish were shocked this past week by the unexpected death of Rev. Corey Bassett-Tirrell, who died in his sleep at the Roseland Street parsonage on Halloween night.

Father Tirrell, 44, had come to the parish this summer to assist the pastor, the Rev. Marcos Enrique, when St. Mark’s ended its association with St. Ambrose parish in Fields Corner.

News of his death was shared with the parish community during Masses this weekend. “Father Corey lived at St. Mark for the past three months and endeared himself to our entire parish community, especially our youth and our children,” said a statement on the parish website.

Rev. Bassett grew up in East Boston and devoted his adult life to the Catholic Church. He entered the priesthood later than his contemporaries after working at the Rapino Funeral Home, focusing on church music and choir. He mentioned to family and friends the influence of the writings of the late Joseph Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI, on his priestly vocation.

His funeral mass was scheduled for Thursday (Nov. 7) at 11 a.m. at St. Adelaide’s Church in West Peabody.