Deacon Maximo E. Montayre
December 7, 2020

Word reached our office that Deacon Maximo “Max” Montayre, retired from Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Tampa and the Apostleship of the Sea, passed away on Friday, December 4, 2020, he was 84. The Funeral Mass will take place at 10:00 am on Friday, December 11, 2020 at St. Paul Catholic Church, 12708 N. …

Mrs. Nancy Manko
November 30, 2020

Mrs. Nancy Manko, mother of Deacon Mark Manko from St. James the Apostle, Port Richey, passed away in the Lord on Sunday, November 29, 2020 in Pennsylvania. Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to the Manko Family in care of St. James the Apostle Parish, 8400 Monarch Dr., Port Richey, FL 34668.  Please keep Deacon …

Mrs. Phyllis Ytuarte
November 23, 2020

We sadly announce the passing of Mrs. Phyllis Ytuarte on Thursday, November 19, 2020.  Mrs. Ytuarte is the mother-in-law of Deacon Ed Anctil, Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, Tampa. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 11:00 am at Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church. Please pray for …

Reverend Terence K. Fleming
November 23, 2020

We were saddened to learn that Reverend Terence Kaner (“Terry”) Fleming, 79, a retired priest of the Diocese of Rochester and long-time resident in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Oldsmar on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. Father Fleming was born on August 10, 1941, in Rochester, New York to …

T.J. Chakko
November 16, 2020

The Chancellor’s Office has been informed of the death of Mr. T.J. Chakko, 92, father of Reverend Saji James, M.S.T., Parochial Vicar of Our Lady Queen of Peace, New Port Richey.  Mr. Chakko passed away peacefully in the Lord on Saturday, November 14, 2020, while at home in India.  Funeral services took place yesterday, November …

Helen Marie Ross
November 16, 2020

The Chancellor’s Office received word that Mrs. Helen Marie Ross, died on November 9, 2020.  Mrs. Ross was a former Music Director of St. Brendan Parish, Clearwater Beach and St. Cecelia Parish, Clearwater. Please keep all of her family members and loved ones in your prayers during this difficult time.   Complete obituary is available at …

Julia Rebel
November 9, 2020

Recently, the Chancellor’s Office was contacted by Father Patrick Rebel, Pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Spring Hill, to inform us of the untimely passing of his niece, Julia Rebel, 20, who died in an automobile accident on Thursday, October 29, 2020.  Julia was the daughter of James and Kathy Rebel, of Wesley Chapel.  …

Robert Francis Perillo
November 9, 2020

The Chancellor’s Office received word that Mr. Robert Francis Perillo, died on October 29, 2020 in New York City.  Mr. Perillo was a Master Voice Teacher and has trained actors for over a quarter of a century.  He has given seminars and workshops to choral groups, readers of scripture and to other teachers of voice …

Donna M. Hoffman
November 2, 2020

We sadly inform the passing of Donna Marie Hoffman, age 55, of Inverness, on October 4, 2020 at Citrus Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness.  Donna was the sister of Debbie Sosnicki, Office Manager of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Inverness. Donna was born in Staten Island, NY on September 18, 1965. She and her …

Reverend John Vakulskas
September 28, 2020

The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the passing of Reverend John Vakulskas, 76, a retired priest of the Diocese of Sioux City, passed away at Mercy One Hospital, in Sioux City, Iowa on Sunday evening, September 27, 2020, following an extended battle with pancreatic cancer.  Father Vakulskas assisted in the Diocese of St. Petersburg since …

Mrs. Alice “Louise” Nkoy
September 21, 2020

The Chancellor’s Office has been informed that Mrs. Alice “Louise” Nkoy, 81, mother of Reverend Emery Longanga, Ph.D.,  Pastor of Holy Cross Parish, St. Petersburg, passed away in the Lord on Thursday, September 17, 2020, in her home country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Her death occurred after a battle with cancer. No …

Sister Irene Lucy Onyai
September 14, 2020

The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the death of Sister Irene Lucy Onyai, 56, of the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu, Uganda (LSMIG), on Friday, September 4, 2020, in Kampala, Uganda.  Her tragic death resulted from complications due to COVID-19. Sister Irene has been a friend of the Diocese of St. Petersburg since …

Brother Bill Orosz
September 14, 2020

Word reached our office that Brother Bill Orosz, O.S.B., 90 years old, passed away on September 10, 2020. A viewing with mid-afternoon prayer will be celebrated in the Saint Leo Abbey Church, 33601 State Rd 52, St Leo, FL 33574, on Tuesday, September 15, at 3:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will follow at 4:00 pm. …

Rev. Msgr. George Cummings
August 31, 2020

The Chancellor’s Office has been informed of the death of Monsignor George W. Cummings, 102, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, and Pastor Emeritus of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Citrus Springs, early Saturday morning, August 8, 2020, at the Sturgill Hospice House, Brooksville. Please see complete obituary at this link.

Reverend James A. Bucaria
August 10, 2020

We were saddened to learn that Reverend James Alfred Bucaria, 75, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away suddenly at his home in Largo, presumably due to cardiac arrest.  His date of death is listed as Thursday, July 30, 2020. Father Bucaria was born in Weatherford, Texas on December 1, 1944, …

Mrs. Mary Punakkattu
August 3, 2020

The Chancellor’s Office learned that Mrs. Mary Punakkattu, 86, mother of Reverend Sojan Punakkattu, Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Citrus Springs, passed away in the Lord on Sunday, August 2, 2020, in Calicut, Kerala, India, following a lengthy period of illness. Mrs. Punakkattu is survived by eight children, including Father Punakkattu, thirteen grandchildren …

Deacon Joseph A. Polcari
June 17, 2020

We are saddened to announce the passing of Deacon Joe Polcari on Saturday, June 13, 2020. He was a retired deacon from St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Clearwater. His wife Teresa passed in 2014. Deacon Joe was ordained for the Archdiocese of Miami on May 2, 1982. He moved to the Diocese of St. Petersburg …

Rev. Robert Velten, OSB
June 11, 2020

We are saddened to share this notice from Saint Leo Abbey: “Early this morning [June 10, 2020], our confrere, Father Robert Velten, OSB, died peacefully in his sleep after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Father Robert was born in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, in 1926. Before joining our monastic community in 1948, he bravely …

Mrs. Claire E. Norman
June 8, 2020

We received the sad news that Mrs. Claire E. Norman, 96, mother of Laurie Fleming, from Internal Services Administration of the Pastoral Center, passed away this weekend. Private services will be at Memorial Park, St. Petersburg, on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. Expressions of condolence to Laurie and family can be send to her at Diocese …

Mrs. Mary C. Wartenbe
May 18, 2020

We have been informed that Mrs. Mary C. Wartenbe, 94, passed away in the Lord on Saturday, May 16, 2020.  Mary worked for the Diocese of St. Petersburg from 1978 to 1994, having served as Secretary in the Stewardship Office and as diocesan Archivist.  She is survived by her daughter, Cindy Griffin.  Funeral services will …

Mr. John Wiles
May 18, 2020

The Chancellor’s Office received the sad news that Mr. John Wiles, husband of Mrs. Terri Wiles, passed away on May 17, 2020.  Terri works in the Finance Office of the Pastoral Center.  Mr. Wiles was diagnosed with double pneumonia late last week and was admitted to the hospital.  For the past few months, he endured …

Mrs. Frances Ortiz
May 11, 2020

The Diaconate Office has received word of the passing of Mrs. Frances Ortiz, 84, wife of Deacon Augustin “Augie” Ortiz, retired from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Land O’Lakes, on May 4, 2020. She is pre deceased by her son, David Ortiz; she is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Augie …

Rev. Msgr. John Vargas
May 5, 2020

Monsignor John Vargas, 83, former Parochial Vicar of Incarnation Parish, Tampa, passed away in the Lord on Thursday, April 23, 2020, in Troy, Michigan.  He was a priest of the Diocese of Virac, Philippines, and was ordained in 1966.  He served at Incarnation from 2002 to 2006, and also assisted while in residence in 2007 …

Mrs. Annie Sebastian
May 5, 2020

Mrs. Annie Sebastian, 78, mother of Reverend Henry K. Sebastian, I.C., Parochial Vicar of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Seminole, passed away suddenly on May 3, 2020, due to a heart attack.  Mrs. Sebastian lived in Ezhupunna, India, at the time of her death.  She was the wife of Konnoth Sebastian and is survived by one daughter, …

Mr. Jose Belgica
April 20, 2020

The Chancellor’s Office learned that Mr. Jose Belgica, 88, father of Reverend Erwin Belgica, Pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Beverly Hills, passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, in his native Philippines. Mr. Belgica was preceded in death by his wife, Trinidad, who passed away last October. Mr. Belgica is survived by his …

Mrs. Theresa Pellegrino
April 6, 2020

The Chancellor’s Office has been informed that Mrs. Theresa (Terry) Pellegrino, 100, mother of Monsignor Joseph Pellegrino, Pastor of St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, Tarpon Springs, passed away in the Lord on Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020, while under Hospice care in Palm Harbor.    Mrs. Pellegrino is preceded in death by her loving husband Henry …

Mr. Harry McAteer
March 16, 2020

The Chancellor’s Office received the news that Mr. Harry McAteer, brother of retired priest Rev. James McAteer, passed away on March 10, 2020, in Ireland. He died peacefully with his family, including Father McAteer, with him. Beloved husband of Catherine and dear father of Bernard, John, Martin and James. He will be sadly missed by …

Mrs. Marjorie Ann Ridenour
March 16, 2020

Marjorie Ann Ridenour, 98, mother of David Ridenour, Tribunal Coordinator, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2020, in Annandale, Virginia, following a brief illness.  Mrs. Ridenour was a long-time member of St. John Vianney Parish, St. Pete Beach. A Funeral Mass is scheduled to take place on Friday, March 27, 2020 at St. Ambrose, Annandale, …

Mrs. Joyce Louise Brown
March 2, 2020

The Chancellor’s Office has been informed that Mrs. Joyce Louise Brown, 88, mother of Reverend Stephan Brown, S.V.D., Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, St. Petersburg, passed away in the Lord early Friday morning, February 28, 2020, at her home in Atlanta, Georgia. Funeral arrangements are as follows: A Divine Liturgy for the Faithful Departed will …

Reverend Nino G. Viviano
March 2, 2020

December 21, 1927 – February 27, 2020 Reverend Nino G. Viviano, a retired priest of the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana, passed away in the Lord on Thursday, February 27, 2020, at his long-time residence in Clearwater. Father Viviano was born in St. Louis, Missouri and was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Alexandria …

Mrs. Carol Ann Young
February 18, 2020

Mrs. Carol Ann Young, 65, wife of Mr. Terry Young, Director of Cemeteries for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2020. Mrs. Young is survived by her husband and high school sweetheart, Terry, along with four children, ten grandchildren, two brothers, three sisters and extended family members.  A memorial service …

Br. Joseph V. Tortorici, SDB
February 10, 2020

Birth: March 27, 1936 Religious Profession: September 8, 1957 Death: February 10, 2020 We sadly announce to all of you the passing of Brother Joseph V. Tortorici, SDB in the early morning of Monday, February 10, 2020. Visitation will be held at Mary Help of Christians Church in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 …

Rev. Msgr. Gerard M. Finegan
February 10, 2020

January 1, 1943 – February 3, 2020Monsignor Gerard M. (“Father Gerry”) Finegan, 77, a retired priest of the Diocese of Venice, passed away in the Lord on February 3, 2020, surrounded by his sisters and close friends. Prior to the establishment of the Diocese of Venice in 1984, Monsignor Finegan assisted in the Diocese of …

Paul D. Ortelli, Jr.
February 3, 2020

We sadly inform the passing of Mr. Paul D. Ortelli, Jr., 58, brother of Mrs. Tammie Laurito, Payroll Manager at the Pastoral Center, St. Petersburg.  He passed away at home on Monday, January 27, 2020. Mr. Ortelli is survived by his loving wife Brenda, daughters Jessica Velez (Rey), Stephanie Dangerfield (Gary) and Shannen Walker (Derrick), …

Mrs. Mary Carruthers
February 3, 2020

The Chancellor’s Office has been notified of the death of Mrs. Mary Carruthers, 95, mother of Monsignor Michael Carruthers, Parochial Administrator of Resurrection Parish, Riverview, late Monday evening, January 27, 2020, while under Hospice care at Bon Secours Place, St. Petersburg.  She had experienced a rapid decline in health since last August. Mrs. Carruthers was …