Father Francis J. Porazzo, age 91
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Bishop John M. Smith was principal celebrant of a Mass of Christian Burial Oct. 15 in St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Toms River, for Father Francis J. Porazzo who died Oct. 10 in St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center, Lawrenceville. He was 91.
Father Porazzo was born April 12, 1918 in Brooklyn, N.Y. He attended St. John University, Brooklyn, with the initial intent of pursuing studies in medicine. At St. John he earned a bachelor’s degree in science.
He then went on to pursue studies for the priesthood at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington. He was ordained a priest June, 3, 1944, by Bishop William A. Griffin in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. Following his ordination, Father Porazzo spent one year in St. Paul Parish, Burlington, before being assigned to St. Joachim Parish, Trenton, in 1945.
He remained in Trenton until Sept. 23, 1950, at which time he was assigned to St. Joseph Parish, Bound Brook. Father Porazzo also spent several months in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Seaside Heights, in 1951, before moving to St. Francis Parish, Trenton.
After one year as assistant pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Maple Shade, Father Porazzo was named pastor of Assumption Parish, New Egypt, on Dec. 10, 1957. In 1963 he was also named CCD director for Ocean County. He served for more than 11 years as pastor of Assumption Parish before briefly serving as pastor of St. Francis Parish, Trenton, and St.
Joseph Parish, Beverly, in 1969.
On Nov. 20, 1969, Father Porazzo was appointed pastor of St. Clare Parish, Florence. For nearly 20 years, he served as pastor of St. Clare until his retirement on April 12, 1988.
In 1983, he also briefly served as temporary secretary and treasurer of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Hainesport, while the pastor recovered from an illness.
Upon retirement, Father Porazzo resided in Toms River and assisted in St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish. Since 2004, he had lived with fellow retired priests at Villa Vianney, Lawrenceville. Father Porazzo is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great grandnieces and great grandnephews.
Burial was in St. John Cemetery, Queens, N.Y.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
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Bishop John M. Smith was principal celebrant of a Mass of Christian Burial Oct. 15 in St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Toms River, for Father Francis J. Porazzo who died Oct. 10 in St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center, Lawrenceville. He was 91.
Father Porazzo was born April 12, 1918 in Brooklyn, N.Y. He attended St. John University, Brooklyn, with the initial intent of pursuing studies in medicine. At St. John he earned a bachelor’s degree in science.
He then went on to pursue studies for the priesthood at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington. He was ordained a priest June, 3, 1944, by Bishop William A. Griffin in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. Following his ordination, Father Porazzo spent one year in St. Paul Parish, Burlington, before being assigned to St. Joachim Parish, Trenton, in 1945.
He remained in Trenton until Sept. 23, 1950, at which time he was assigned to St. Joseph Parish, Bound Brook. Father Porazzo also spent several months in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Seaside Heights, in 1951, before moving to St. Francis Parish, Trenton.
After one year as assistant pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Maple Shade, Father Porazzo was named pastor of Assumption Parish, New Egypt, on Dec. 10, 1957. In 1963 he was also named CCD director for Ocean County. He served for more than 11 years as pastor of Assumption Parish before briefly serving as pastor of St. Francis Parish, Trenton, and St.
Joseph Parish, Beverly, in 1969.
On Nov. 20, 1969, Father Porazzo was appointed pastor of St. Clare Parish, Florence. For nearly 20 years, he served as pastor of St. Clare until his retirement on April 12, 1988.
In 1983, he also briefly served as temporary secretary and treasurer of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Hainesport, while the pastor recovered from an illness.
Upon retirement, Father Porazzo resided in Toms River and assisted in St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish. Since 2004, he had lived with fellow retired priests at Villa Vianney, Lawrenceville. Father Porazzo is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great grandnieces and great grandnephews.
Burial was in St. John Cemetery, Queens, N.Y.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.