Obituary of Rev. Charles A. Aho

Reverend Charles A. Aho died August 29 at Loretto Health and Rehabilitation.  He was born on December 28, 1940 in Union City, New York to Pauline and Rudolph Aho.

Father Aho graduated from Skaneateles High School.  He entered the seminary at Resurrection College in Kitchener, Ontario from which he received a Diploma in Philosophy.  He attended St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester and received a Master of Divinity degree.  In additional studies after his priestly ordination, Father Aho received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University and a Master of Arts in Religion degree from St. Bernard’s Institute.  He did additional course work toward a Ph.D. in Religion at SU. Father also studied organ with Johanna Gillespie, Joseph McGrath, and George Decker prior to ordination. 

Father Aho said some of his most formative years were spent as a novice at the Trappist Monastery in Geneseo in the late 1950’s.  He remarked “I really did learn my best training in spirituality and liturgy from the Trappists.”

He was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse on May 16, 1970.  His first assignment as a priest was at St. Patrick’s Church in Syracuse.  His other diocesan assignments include Binghamton Catholic Central, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, St. Mary’s Church in Clinton, St. Matthew’s in East Syracuse, Sacred Heart in Cicero, and Most Holy Rosary in Syracuse.  Later assignments include St. Michael’s in Fulton, St. Therese in Syracuse and St. Francis in Lacona.

Father’s other ministries were serving as chaplain at the Syracuse Developmental Center, Iroquois and Van Duyn nursing homes, Hillbrook Detention Center, the Dominican Monastery, and the Franciscan Villa.

He said he received a great deal of satisfaction from his ministry, particularly in ministering to bereaved families. “The people are at their most sensitive when they are suffering from a loss”, he said.  “Being able to pray with and for people at this time is one of the greatest gifts a priest can give.” 

For 22 years, Father Aho taught art history at LeMoyne College as an adjunct instructor.  Among his past musical activities, he served as organist and choir director at several churches, organized the Binghamton Bach Society, and established the Cathedral Arts concert series.

Father Aho is predeceased by his parents, his twin sister Charlotte and his sister Sharon Rose.  He is survived by nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday September 11, 2023 at 10:30 am at St. Patrick’s Church, 216 N. Lowell Ave. The family will receive friends and relatives from 9:30-10:30am prior to the mass. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Skaneteles.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Father Aho’s memory may be made to the Carthusian Foundation in America, 1084 Ave Maria Way, Arlington, VT  05250.