Father Felix Venza, a retired priest of the Diocese, died May 6 in his home in Hamilton. He was 79.
Funeral services will be held May 12 with visitation from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. in St. Mary Church, 45 Crosswicks St., Bordentown, with a Mass of Christian Burial following at 11 a.m. Entombment will be in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Madonna Mausoleum, Hamilton.
Father Venza was born in 1946 in Trenton and grew up in St. Joachim School, Trenton, and Mother of the Savior Seminary, Blackwood. He prepared for the priesthood in St. Charles College, Catonsville, Md., then St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore.
Father Venza was a youngster in his home parish, St. Joachim, Trenton, now part of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Trenton, when he received his vocation to the priesthood. In the parish he was an altar server and a member of the boys’ choir.
Ordained a priest May 20, 1972 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop George W. Ahr, Father Venza’s first assignment as parochial vicar was Christ the King Parish, Manville (now in the Metuchen Diocese), followed by assignments in St. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands, now part of Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands, and St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Middletown. In 1988, he relocated to Burlington County when he was named to his first and only pastorate in St. Clare Parish, Florence, where he served for 20 years. As part of his service to the parish, Father Venza engaged St. Clare parishioners in ecumenical efforts with other area churches. He was also the spiritual director of the Holy Name Society in Burlington County.
Father Venza left St. Clare Parish in 2008 after the parish merged with Holy Assumption Parish, Roebling, and the parish became Sts. Francis and Clare Parish of Florence Township. Father Venza then served as a senior priest in residence in St. Mary Parish, Bordentown, which is now part of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish.
Father Venza was predeceased by his parents, Vito and Laura (Marchetti) Venza; a sister-in-law and a nephew. He is survived by his brother, Frank Venza, and two nieces.
Memorial donations may be to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105 or online at www.stjude.org