The Chancellor’s Office has been informed that Monsignor John F. Neff, 87, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away in the Lord on Wednesday afternoon, January 20, 2021, at St. Anthony’s Hospital, St. Petersburg. John Francis Neff was born in Cairo, Illinois on May 21, 1933, to Herbert and Cecelia Neff. […]

The Diaconate Office sadly informs the passing of Deacon Gerald McGory, 89, retired, from Transfiguration Parish, St. Petersburg.  Most recently, he attended the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg.  He passed away in the Lord on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Funeral Services on Monday, January 25th at the Cathedral of St. Jude the […]

Sadly we inform the passing of Sister Ruth Barthle, OSF, a native of Pasco County and long time religious in this diocese.  She died this morning, January 11, 2021 at the Motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY, where she has been living for the last 3 years. Originally from San Antonio, Florida, she […]

We sadly inform the passing of Brother Frank Martin Chapper, 91, on January 7, 2021 at Northside Hospital, as a result of COVID-19. Brother Chapper was born on April 28, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Catholic Central High School in Detroit and earned a degree in civil engineering at the University of Michigan. […]

Word reached the Diocese that Sr. Mary Patricia Plumb, SNJM, 83, passed away on Friday, January 8, 2021 at Concordia Healthcare Center, Tampa, of complications from COVID 19. A native of Florida, Sister Mary Patricia entered the SNJM community after graduating from the Academy of the Holy Names, Tampa, in 1955. Her roles in education […]

The Chancellor’s Office received word that Reverend Eric Hunter, 76, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away in the Lord early this morning, January 11, 2021, at his residence in Largo, while under Hospice care. Father Hunter was granted retirement status in July 2019, after serving as Pastor of St. Brendan […]

Our office has received word of the passing of Mary Ann Iadanza, wife of Deacon John Iadanza from St. Mary Parish in Tampa. Deacon John and Mary Ann were high school sweethearts, married for 58 years. They relocated to Florida in 1998 from New Jersey. She was 78. Services are as follows: Visitation will take […]

The Diaconate Office has received word of the passing of Mrs. Mary Menchen and Ms. Dawn Trendly, mother and aunt of Deacon Mike Menchen from St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Parish in St. Petersburg, both in Cincinnati. Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to the Menchen Family in care of St. Mary, Our Lady […]

The Diaconate Office office has received word of the passing of Mr. Glenn Kloiber, 96, father of Laurie Dever, wife of Deacon Ray Dever from St. Paul Parish in Tampa. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 8, 2021. Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to the Laurie Dever and family in care […]

The Chancellor’s Office has been informed of the death of Rev. Dr. Frederick Brown, father of Reverend Stephan T. Brown, S.V.D., Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, St. Petersburg. Dr. Brown passed away on Sunday, January 3, 2021, while at home in St. Petersburg, under Hospice care, following a steady decline in health in recent months.Dr. […]

Sadly, the Chancellor’s Office learned that Mr. Luis Alfonso Riveros, 62, youngest brother of Reverend Belisario Riveros, Parochial Vicar of Nativity Parish, Brandon, passed away on Christmas morning, Friday, December 25, 2020, in Bogotá, Colombia, following a lengthy battle with Leukemia.  Mr. Riveros is survived by his wife, Flor Riveros and three children: Alfonso, Carolina […]

We have received word of the death of Sister Barbara Rose Arduengo, SNJM, 89, in Tampa, on December 17, 2020.  Please keep Sister Barbara Rose and the members of her community in your prayers. May Sister Barbara Rose and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 

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, 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.  […]

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 […]

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 […]

Birth: June 19, 1929 Religious Profession: September 8, 1948 Ordination to Priesthood: June 13, 1958 Death: October 24, 2020 We sadly announce to all of you the passing of Father John G. Masiello, SDB, on the afternoon of Saturday, October 24, 2020. Father Masiello came to the Diocese of St. Petersburg in 2007 and resided […]

The Chancellor’s Office has been informed of the sudden death of Reverend Matthew T. Gamber, S.J., 61, on Friday, October 16, 2020, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Father Gamber worked as a pastoral counselor and theology instructor at Jesuit High School, Tampa, from 2012 to 2014. Father Gamber was born in Evanston, Illinois to Mark and Ruth […]

The Chancellor’s Office received word from Ireland that Reverend Seamus Collins, O.P., 87, a retired member of the Irish Province of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, at Tallaght Hospital, in Dublin.  Father Collins was one of four children born to Colonel Liam and Delia (Tarpy) Collins. He […]

Brother Glenn Humphrey, O.F.M., 76, a professed Franciscan friar for 55 years, died on October 9, 2020 at Bon Secours Maria Manor Nursing Care Center where he had lived since August. He had spent most of his religious life in academic and counseling work. The friar community at St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg celebrated […]

September 4, 1923 – September 17, 2020 The Chancellor’s Office received word that Reverend Karl Aloysius Aschmann, C.Ss.R., 97, a retired member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists), passed away on Thursday, September 17, 2020, while under Hospice care in Palm Coast, Florida. Father Aschmann was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He made […]

Word reached our office of the passing of Joseph Edward Gayton on September 21, 2020 at the age of 64. Joseph was born November 28, 1955, in Philadelphia County, PA. He is preceded in death by his parents Edward Joseph and Anna Marie Gayton. He is a graduate of Stetson University, College of Law. Joseph […]

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 […]

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 […]

Word reached our office that Reverend Conrad Harkins, O.F.M., 85 years old, a professed Franciscan friar for 65 years and a priest for 59, died on August 31, 2020 at St. Cabrini Nursing Home, Dobbs Ferry, NY, where he had lived since last year. He spent most of his religious life in academia and was […]

Reverend Simeon Thole, O.S.B., age 85, died peacefully in the Saint Raphael Hall retirement center at Saint John’s Abbey, Collegeville, MN, on Sunday, July 19, 2020. Simeon (James) Thole was born in Moorhead, MN, April 21, 1935, made his profession as a monk of Saint John’s Abbey July 11, 1956 and was ordained on June 2, […]

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 […]

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. […]

Word has been received of the death of Brother Valerian Vaverehak, OFM, on Monday, August 31, 2020, at Maria Manor in St. Petersburg.  Funeral arrangements for Brother, a professed Franciscan friar for 63 years, are pending.  May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  […]

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.

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, […]

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 […]

We are saddened to announce the passing of Reverend Mario Marzocchi, S.S.S., 84, a retired priest of the Congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament. He passed away in the Lord at Regina Health Center, Richfield, Ohio on Friday, June 26, 2020, following a brief illness. Father Marzocchi, was born in New York City. He was […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Reverend Gerald Dolan, O.F.M., 89, who resided at St. Anthony Friary, St. Petersburg from 2009 to February 2020, passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 after testing positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus.  Father Dolan was a professed member of the Franciscan Friars Holy Name Province for 68 years and a priest for over 63 years. […]

Mrs. Patricia Ann (Sullivan) Kayajan, 86, mother of Reverend Daniel Kayajan, C.S.C., Pastor of St. Lawrence Parish, Tampa, passed away on April 30, 2020, in New Hampshire.  Mrs. Kayajan was a resident of Middleboro, Massachusetts.  Private funeral services took place on Saturday, May 2, 2020 with burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, in Middleboro, Massachusetts.  More […]

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, 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, […]

This past weekend, the Chancellor’s Office was informed that Mrs. Mary Elizabeth (Midili) Plazewski, 87, mother of Very Reverend Leonard Plazewski, V.F., Pastor of Christ the King Parish, Tampa, passed away in the Lord on Friday, April 24, 2020, in Zephyrhills. Mrs. Plazewski was born in San Antonio, Florida in 1932 and was a lifelong […]

On Thursday, April 23, 2020, we learned of the death of Reverend Arcangelo Manzi, O. de M., 81, on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, due to complications from the COVID-19 coronavirus.  Father Manzi resided with the Mercedarian community at the St. Peter Nolasco Residence and served as Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral Parish of St. Jude […]

Sister Caroline J. Cerveny, SSJ-TOSF, 76, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.  She lived in Clearwater and was a member of Espiritu Santo Parish, Safety Harbor.  She was a long-time member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. Sister Cerveny […]

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 […]