Msgr. Edward D. Strano, who last served as pastor of St. Clement Parish, Matawan, for 10 years, died April 2 in Villa Vianney, the diocesan residence for retired priests. He was 84.

Funeral services for Msgr. Strano will begin with a viewing to be held April 6 from 6-8 p.m. in Buckley Funeral Home, 509 2nd Ave., Asbury Park. The following day, April 7, Msgr. Strano’s body will be received in St. Clement Church, 172 Freneau Ave., Matawan, at 3:30 p.m. with calling hours continuing until 6:45 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated that evening at 7 p.m.

Msgr. Strano was born Sept. 3, 1929, in Asbury Park, and was a member of Holy Spirit Parish, Asbury Park. He graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School before attending St. Charles College, Catonsville, Md., and later graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University, South Orange. He completed his studies for the priesthood in Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington, and was ordained a priest May 26, 1956 by Bishop George W. Ahr in St. Anthony Church, Hamilton. The newly ordained priest’s first parish assignment was as parochial vicar of Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly.

In October, 1960, he was named director of the Burlington County Catholic Youth Organization before being assigned the following year to St. John Vianney Parish, Colonia. He then served in St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, and St. Joseph Parish, Keyport, before he was appointed assistant diocesan Confraternity of Christian Doctrine director on June 17, 1966. During that time, he took up residence in West Trenton and also served as chaplain of the Newman Club in Rider College, Lawrenceville.

In 1969, he was appointed to serve as associate pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, and later that year moved to St. Mary Parish, Bordentown. Form 1969-1972, he also served as moderator of the Burlington County CYO.

Msgr. Strano was named to his first pastorate in St. John Vianney Parish, Colonia, on Jan. 21, 1972. After four years he was named pastor of St. Ann Parish, Keansburg, on Jan. 16, 1976, where he served for more than a decade. During his time as pastor of St. Ann Parish, he also founded Project PAUL, a social service outreach program in Keansburg that serves the needs of people in the community.

During the early 1980s, Msgr. Strano assumed a number of roles on the diocesan level. He was appointed pro-synodal judge of the Tribunal in 1980, and to a three-year term as assistant to the director of priest personnel in 1981. He was also appointed to the Emmaus Core Planning Group and The Monitor study commission.

In October, 1983, he was reappointed pro-synodal judge and appointed as defender of the bond of the Tribunal for indeterminate terms. He was also appointed to a three-year term as judge and defender of the bond of the Interdiocesan Tribunal. In 1984, he was named to an indefinite term as parish priest consultor and as the Monmouth County representative to the Expansion and Development Commission.

In June, 1986, Msgr. Strano was named to a three-year term as vicar for Catholic Education services of the Diocese of Trenton. His appointment to the position continued to be renewed at the conclusion of each three-year term and Msgr. Strano served in the role of vicar of Catholic education until his retirement from ministry in 1996.

On Oct. 17, 1986, he was installed as pastor of St. Clement Parish, Matawan. In 1993, he was named a Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II with the title of monsignor. In 1994, he also served as chairman of the committee for the distribution of Faith in Service campaign monies to schools.

Msgr. Strano completed his service as vicar of Catholic Education Services in November, 1996, and resigned as pastor of St. Clement Parish effective Jan. 15, 1997.

Msgr. Strano was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Mary Strano; two brothers; five sisters; two nieces and a nephew. He is survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Burial will be held April 8 in Mount Calvary Cemetery, 705 2nd Ave., Asbury Park. Memorial donations may be made to Project Paul, 211 Carr Ave., Keansburg, N.J. 07734.