The Rev. Leonard Leslie Alvey, 79, of Owensboro died at the Brescia University campus on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. He attended seminary at St. Meinrad in Indiana before receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St. Mary’s in Baltimore, Md. He pursued additional studies at St. Maur’s in South Union. He earned a Master of Arts in Philosophy and completed doctoral studies, except for his dissertation, from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He also earned an educational specialist degree in counselor education and student personnel services from Western Kentucky University.
Alvey served as assistant pastor at St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro and St. Thomas More in Paducah, where he was also chaplain of Lourdes Hospital. He was also pastor of Sacred Heart in Hickman, and St. Edward in Fulton. Over the years, he was also in residence at several Owensboro and Daviess County parishes: Our Lady of Lourdes, Blessed Mother, Precious Blood, St. Mary Magdalene and St. Martin. However, he devoted most of his life to education, serving at Owensboro Catholic High School from 1966–68 and at Brescia College (now University) since 1971, where he was an associate professor of philosophy and co-director of the University Counseling Center until his retirement in 2009. He continued part-time ministry at Brescia as professor emeritus until his death. An avid reader, Alvey donated so many books to the University library over the years that in 2003, the library was renamed in his honor. He also served as University chaplain and a spiritual adviser to many students.
In addition to his teaching and counseling duties at Brescia, Alvey was active in numerous other church and professional groups. For many years he served as spiritual director for Cursillo; he was an active member of the Marriage Tribunals in the Dioceses of Owensboro (1983–2012) and Covington, and the Archdiocese of Louisville. He was a member of the Ethics committees of Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, and Mercy Hospital and Owensboro Medical Health System in Owensboro. He served as president of the Owensboro Diocesan Priests’ Council and as a member of the Committee for the Continuing Education of Clergy. He was also active in the College Theology Society, the Kentucky Association of Counseling, and the Kentucky Philosophical Society.
Alvey was a lifetime Associate of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount St. Joseph. With them, he shared a passion for education and for Brescia. He served the Ursulines for many years as a wise and faithful confessor as well as a devoted friend.
Alvey was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Martine Weaver Alvey; brother, William Joseph Alvey of Tell City, Ind.; and sister, Irene Hildenbrand of Jasper, Ind. He is survived by his sister Pauline Barton of Pierceton, Ind.; brother-in-law Jerome Hildenbrand; nine nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and -nephews.
Services are at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Stephen Cathedral, with The Most Revs. William Medley and John McRaith, and priests of the Diocese of Owensboro officiating. Burial is at Mount St. Joseph Ursuline Convent Cemetery. A wake service is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, Brescia University. Visitation is from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the chapel, and from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the cathedral.
Expressions of sympathy can take the form of donations to Brescia University, 717 Frederica St., Owensboro, KY 42301, or the Ursuline Sisters of Mount St. Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.
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