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 …

Deacon Julio Vazquez
January 27, 2020

Deacon Julio Vazquez, 72, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Elsie, of 33 years. Deacon Vazquez was ordained for the Diocese of Hartford, Connecticut, on June 13, 1992 and moved to the Diocese of St. Petersburg in March, 1999.  He was assigned to Incarnation Parish in Tampa until …

Deacon Frank Chiappetta
January 21, 2020

Deacon Frank Chiappetta, 84 passed away on Friday, January 17, 2020. He is survived by his wife Doris, of 62 years. Deacon Chiappetta was ordained for the Diocese of Bridgeport on June 13, 1981 and moved to the Diocese of St. Petersburg in June 2014, where he was assigned to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish, …

Sr. Alice Belanger, R.C.
January 13, 2020

Word has been received of the death of Sister Alice Belanger, RC, 90, on Tuesday, January 7, 2020. Sister Alice was a long time resident of St. Petersburg, most recently living at the Fountains in St. Petersburg.  She was employed by St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Parish, St. Petersburg, from 1982 to 2004, and …

Reverend Paul Mizener
January 6, 2020

The Chancellor’s Office was notified of the passing of Reverend Paul Mizener, 82, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, on Saturday, December 28, 2019, at Countryside Lakes Assisted Living Facility, Port Orange, Florida, following a lengthy illness. He had resided at Countryside Lakes since 2014. Father Mizener was one of five children born …

Mrs. Carol Ann Russell
January 6, 2020

Mrs. Carol Ann Russell, 84, passed away in the Lord on Monday, December 30, 2019, at St. Anthony’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, following a lengthy decline in health.  She was the mother of Mrs. Heidi Varley, Assistant Director of our diocesan Office of Vocations and Mrs. Marie Reed, a fifth-grade teacher at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, …

Mrs. Mary Lou Goldych
January 6, 2020

Mrs. Mary Lou Goldych, 84, of St. Petersburg, died Sunday, December 15, 2019.  Mrs. Goldych retired from the Diocese on July 2004. She worked as the Secretary of the Catholic Formation and Education Office from November 1995 until her retirement in 2004. She was born on December 20, 1934, in Matawan, New Jersey, to Mary …

Mr. Arogyam Anthony
December 16, 2019

The Chancellor’s Office has been informed of the death of Mr. Arogyam Anthony, 79, stepfather of Reverend Edison Bernavas, I.C., Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Seffner.   Mr. Anthony passed away on December 10, 2019, in Trivandrum, Kerala, India. He is survived by his wife, Elthrow, six children, including Father Bernavas, and eleven grandchildren. …

Amy Elizabeth Lounsbury
November 25, 2019

Word has reached the Chancellor’s Office regarding the death of Mrs. Amy E. Lounsbury on November 19, 2019. Mrs. Lounsbury was former Director of Transfiguration Early Childhood Center, St. Petersburg. She is survived by husband, Douglas, two boys, Nathaniel and Jonathan, parents and sisters. Funeral arrangements have not been made public. Please keep her family …

James J. Potocnak, brother of Most Rev. Joseph Potocnak, SCJ
November 4, 2019

The Chancellor’s Office received word of the death of Mr. James Joseph Potocnak, 76, younger brother of Most Reverend Joseph Potocnak, S.C.J., retired Bishop of De Aar, South Africa and in residence with the Sacred Heart Fathers, Pinellas Park.  Mr. Potocnak was a lifelong resident of Philadelphia and a retired police officer.  Additional biographical details …

Mrs. Trinidad Chavez Belgica, mother of Rev. Erwin Belgica
November 4, 2019

The Chancellor’s Office has received word that Mrs. Trinidad Chavez Belgica, 80, mother of Reverend Erwin Belgica, Pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Beverly Hills, passed away on October 31, 2019 in the Philippines. Information on her family and address for expressions of sympathy can be found in the notice at this link. Please …

Obituaries ~ July 1, 2019
July 1, 2019

  Rev. Msgr. James Bernard Caverly August 22, 1934 – June 26, 2019 (See complete obituary here.) Word has reached the Chancellor’s Office that Rev. Msgr. James Bernard Caverly, age 84, passed away in the Lord on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at Bon Secours Maria Manor, St. Petersburg. His first assignment in the Diocese of St. …

Obituary ~ June 3, 2019
June 3, 2019

  Funeral Services for Deacon Angelo J. Pignataro, 92, retired, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2019. (see obituary published on May 28, 2019 at this link.) The viewing for Deacon Angelo Pignataro will take place on Monday June 10, 2019 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, with Evening Prayer at 7:00 pm. The Funeral …

Obituary ~ May 28, 2019
May 28, 2019

Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Mr. Nicholas DeSanto, 31, son of Deacon Frank and Kathy DeSanto of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Land O’ Lakes, died suddenly on Wednesday, May 22, 2019.  A Funeral Mass was held on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Our …

Obituary ~ May 20, 2019
May 20, 2019

  Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Mr. Paul C. Schneider This past weekend, we received word that Mr. Paul C. Schneider, 62, brother of Rev. Robert Schneider, Pastor of St. Cecelia Parish, Clearwater, passed away peacefully at his home in Salina, Kansas on Friday, May …

Obituary ~ May 6, 2019
May 6, 2019

  Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Brother Peter P. Mahady, SSS Brother Peter Patrick Mahady, SSS, just turning 87, Blessed Sacrament Brother died on April 15, 2019 at Regina Health Center, Richfield, OH, surrounded by the loving staff of Regina and Western Reserve Hospice and members …

Obituary ~ March 18, 2019
March 18, 2019

Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Reverend Emeric Slezak, OFM We were informed of the death of Reverend Emeric Szlezak, O.F.M., 101, a retired priest of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor, Holy Name Province, on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Father Szlezak was a resident of …

Obituary ~ February 25, 2019
February 25, 2019

  Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Mrs. Mary (Collofello) Munchalfen Mrs. Mary (Collofello) Munchalfen, 90, mother of Terri Wiles, from the diocesan Accounting Office at the Pastoral Center,  went home to the Lord on February 17, 2019.  Please keep Terri and her family in your …

Obituary ~ February 4, 2019
February 4, 2019

  Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Deacon Anthony “Tony” Kijonka Deacon Anthony “Tony” Kijonka, 89, passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2019. He was predeceased by his wife, Imogene, in 2000. Deacon Tony was ordained for the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey on October 15, …