Funeral services were held March 5 in St. Rose of Lima Chapel, Freehold, for Father Roman Modino, a priest of the Diocese, who died Feb. 28 in Morris Hall Meadows, Lawrenceville. He was 80.

Born in San Fornando Camarino Sur, Philippines, Father Modino entered college in Holy Rosary Seminary, Naga City, Philippines, in 1955, and graduated in 1958. In June of that year, he entered the school’s seminary to begin studies for the priesthood.

On April 7, 1962, Father Modino was ordained a priest by Bishop Pedro P. Santos in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Naga City. He was then appointed as parochial vicar in two municipalities of Camarines Sur, Libmanan, from 1962 to 1964, and Caramoan from 1964 to 1965.

He also served as pastor in the Camarines as well as in Tamban from 1965 to 1970; Bombon, from 1975 to 1981; Calabanga from 1981 to 1988, and in Baao from 1988 to 1989. While he was applying for a visa to enter the United States, he served as a visiting priest in Christ the King Parish, Quezon City, Metro Manila, from 1989 to 1990.

Upon arriving to the United States in 1990, Father Modino served as a parochial vicar for eight years in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, and in St. John the Baptist Parish, Long Branch, in 1998.

On Dec. 12, 2000, he was incardinated into the Diocese of Trenton and appointed parochial vicar in the Cathedral. In 2001, he was named temporary administrator of Jesus the Lord Parish, Keyport. The following year, he was assigned as parochial vicar of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold, until his retirement in 2012.

Father Modino is survived by a niece, Susan Dela Pena.

Burial will be in the Philippines at a later date.