Reverend Mike Parrotta R.I.P.

 

From Brian Harrington, Investiture 1961:

 

Earlier this year, well-known & highly respected S.M.M. alum Fr. Michael Parrotta learned that his cancer had metastasized, and further medical intervention was not possible. Sadly, I now reportt that Fr. Mike passed away in Hospice care on October 14, 2022.

A native of Ozone Park, N.Y., Mike Parrotta enrolled at Montfort Prep Seminary in 1952 after graduating from St. Mary Gate of Heaven grammar school. He played varsity sports at MPS. Mike (a gentle giant) excelled in two of them. In soccer he was a fullback feared by opponents because of his size. He was strong and could kick a soccer ball fifty yards or more when clearing it from the goal he was defending. In baseball, he was the varsity catcher and field boss and the standout power hitter on the team. He could be an outspoken tease of fellow students but never a nasty one. We liked him, and he liked us.

He was invested in 1958 and entered Novitiate in Hartford City, Indiana. Following first Profession of vows in 1959, he began Major Seminary studies in Litchfield, Ct. At the conclusion of the 1962 academic year, Mike declined renewal of his vows and departed the S.M.M. after ten years of study.

Mike never quite abandoned his interest in priestly ministry. Years later, as a “delayed vocation” candidate, he resumed seminary education and was accepted for ordination by the Bishop of Fargo, North Dakota. Subsequently, with the approval of that Bishop, he requested and received a transfer to Florida to help a cancer stricken, neglected young woman, whom he later adopted. For the past 12 years, Fr. Mike has been on staff, serving parishioners at:

St. Rita's Catholic Church

13645 Paddock Drive

Wellington, FL  33414

(561) 793-8544

Dennis Kelly, RIP

 From Brian Harrington:

Heartfelt goodbye and thank you to Montfort alum Dennis Kelly. Dennis passed away at age 75 on 9/26/2022 while in memory care in Myrtle Beach, SC.

A Montfortian for just 2-years, he liked everyone he knew, and we liked him.

Dennis attended St. Mary Gate of Heaven grammar school in Ozone Park, NY and St. Leonard’s High School in Ridgewood, NY. Immediately thereafter he entered the S.M.M. in Hartford City, Indiana as a novice. He made his first profession of vows in August of 1966. The following month he began his college education at St. Louis University while residing at the McPherson Avenue residence of the S.M.M. After completing a first year at SLU, Dennis declined renewal of his vows, departed SLU, and returned to Queens County, NYC.

Those of us who knew him, especially remember his remarkable musical talent. Though he didn’t read sheet music, Dennis could pick up a random musical instrument, fiddle with it awhile and 15 minutes later, play a song on it. He sang and played guitar as a member of “The New World Singers” one of several Montfortian folk singing groups formed in the 1960s. Taken during his novitiate, the attached photo of that group includes [L to R]: George Sullivan, Jack Callery, Jack Lyons, George White, Steve Palmer, Larry Cullen, and Denis Kelly.

After his departure, Dennis sought to establish a new career path. He accepted a job as a New York City bus driver and did gigs as a recording studio session musician. He joined the Nassau County Police Department, from which he retired after 20 years of service. After that he became President of a private security service that offered protective services to entertainers, celebrities, and diplomats during their visits to the New York City metropolitan area.

A funeral Mass for Dennis took place at St. Mary Gate of Heaven Church and his remains have been interred at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY. Should you wish to send condolences to his wife Cathie, she may be reached by e-mail at: howell5632@aol.com or by telephone at 516-330-5958. In lieu of flowers, Dennis' family suggested that memorial contributions in his name be made to a foundation devoted to assisting victims and families of those afflicted with life threatening childhood diseases.

Katie McBride Foundation

506 Lakeville Road

New Hyde Park, NY 11040

May he Rest in Peace.

Brian Harrington

Investiture Class of 1961 

 

[L to R]: George Sullivan, Jack Callery, Jack Lyons, George White, Steve Palmer, Larry Cullen, and Denis Kelly.

 

 

Fr. Jerry Fitzsimmons

Prayers are requested for Jerry Fitzsimmons, SMM, as he deals with his recent diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrig disease). In his own words:".. your prayers put me in his (God's) presence and the power of his love." He let us know that he will be doing everything he can to work with the doctors, be a realist like the Blessed Mother, and that he will "Let God be God, in unconditional love." (Thanks to Lucille  Feeser for sharing this.)

Rev. Gerald Fitzsimmons, SMM

In other SMM news, Matt Considine, SMM, was recently appointed pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Manorville NY

Passing of Joe Fazzina

 

                                       Joseph Valentine Fazzina, RIP 2/14/1933-9/6/2022

 Joe professed vows in 1954 and was ordained in 1960. He taught at Bay Shore for a number of years. 

The following obituary was posted by Joe's son, Daniel, on Facebook.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

2 Timothy 4:7

Joseph Valentine Fazzina passed peacefully in his sleep into the glorious presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 6th 2022, after a brief bout with cancer. He was 89.

Joseph was a recent arrival to his new home in Newport News, Virginia, where he moved from Long Island, New York in February 2022 to be closer to his only son, Daniel Fazzina and his family, who are residents of Yorktown, Virginia.

Joseph was born on a snowy Valentine’s Day in Boston, Massachusetts in 1933 to Sicilian immigrants Salvatore and Maria Fazzina. He spent his elementary and high school years in Boston, graduating from Brighton High School in 1950. He then left for college, studying at many universities and earning a baccalaureate degree and several masters degrees in education, counseling, administration, and foreign languages from colleges such as McGill University in Canada, St. John’s University in New York City, and St. Joseph’s College on Long Island, New York. He also studied in seminary for 6 years, and was in full-time ministry for over 10 years before transitioning to his true calling and passion of teaching.

He started teaching in 1955, and throughout his long career as an educator, taught romance languages at all levels – from kindergarten through college. In addition to English, he was fluent in Italian, Spanish, French, and Latin. He spent 29 years teaching at Longwood High School in Middle Island, New York, from 1971 until his retirement in 2000. He loved sports, especially basketball, baseball and football. He played, refereed, coached and managed many teams over the years. He was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Mastic Beach, New York and deeply loved his friends from the congregation, whom he considered to be family. He would often rave about his home church, saying, “There’s no place like Grace.”

Joseph was an intelligent, kind, patient, humble, easy-going and generous man with an infectious smile and jovial demeanor. He was very social, and made friends easily wherever he went because he knew how to honor people and make one feel special. He was very spiritual and loved Jesus and desired to emulate and be close to Him. He loved to laugh, tell jokes and stories, and spend time with friends and loved ones. He loved volunteering at church and most of all, teaching. Nothing gave him more satisfaction than seeing a student learn, grow and develop.

Joseph is pre-deceased by his parents, Salvatore and Maria Fazzina, parents-in-law, Nicholas and Arline Large, sisters Josephine Fazzina Eliboro, Edythe Fazzina Dell’Orfano, Elvira Fazzina Martori, and by his wife of nearly 50 years, Gwendolyn Large Fazzina. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Paul and Anne Fazzina, brother Frank Fazzina, sister Elinore Fazzina Souza, sister-in-law Marilynn Large Shultz, step-daughter Janine Van Zwienen, son Daniel Fazzina, daughter-in-law Sahani Howie-Fazzina, grandchildren Evangeline Fazzina, Gabriella Fazzina and David Fazzina, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and many other family members too numerous to list. 

 

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St. Louis U Revisited

 Al Schebera writes (on 9/16/22):

Last week Louis Miller and Jack Coyne visited me in St. Louis. We toured St. Louis University campus. The campus has changed so much that it is hardly recognizable. 

1964 Ordination Class

Richard Schebera, Jerry Pramuk, Pat Gaffney, Joe Hassett, Chick Schultz .  1963, Litchfield soon after deaconate ordination.

 

February 22, 1964 ordination Litchfield L to R: Hassett, Schebera, Schultz, Pramuk

February 23, 1964 Richard Schebera’s first mass in Litchfield chapel. L to R: Ed Blydenburg, Richard, Pat Gaffney

Pramuk, Hassett, Schultz, Schebera; 1963 ordination to deaconate Hartford, Connecticut.