Funeral services will be held Jan. 14 in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Hightstown, for Father Leon J. Inverso, a priest of the Diocese who died Jan. 6. He was 76.
Calling hours will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the church followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11. St. Anthony of Padua Church is located at 251 Franklin Street.
Born and raised in Trenton, Father Inverso graduated from St. Joachim School and Trenton Catholic High School for Boys and Seton Hall University, South Orange. He also attended Seton Hall Divinity School and Immaculate Conception Seminary.
Father Inverso began his teaching career at the Darlington School for Boys in Rome, Ga., where he taught for five years. He returned to New Jersey and taught in South River High School for 10 years. At this time he resumed his studies for the priesthood at Theological College at The Catholic University of America, Washington. He was ordained a priest Dec. 14, 1985, in his home parish, St. Joachim Church, by Bishop John C. Reiss.
During his 33 years of priestly ministry, Father Inverso served the Diocese is various capacities. He was parochial vicar in: Visitation Parish, Brick; St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, and Incarnation (now part of Incarnation-St. James) Parish, Ewing. In July, 1995, he was named temporary administrator of St. Agnes Parish (now part of Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish), Atlantic Highlands, and then named pastor the following year. Father Inverso temporarily retired from active ministry in August, 2004, but returned to ministry in May, 2010 and was named parochial vicar of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Yardville. He retired in September, 2011, and resided in Villa Vianney, the diocesan residence for retired priests in Lawrenceville. In retirement, he celebrated daily Mass for the Religious Teachers Filippini in Morning Star House of Prayer, Trenton, and also assisted with Masses in various parishes in the Diocese including St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown.
Father Inverso was predeceased by his father Alia (Leo) Inverso. He is survived by his mother Evelyn Carmignani Inverso Gansl of Lawrenceville, as well as cousins and many friends.
Burial will be in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Hamilton.