By Dorothy K. LaMantia | Correspondent

Loved ones, parishioners and clergy gathered Feb. 4 to remember and give thanks for the life of Father Francis E. Santitoro, pastor emeritus of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Toms River. Msgr Thomas Gervasio, diocesan vicar general, celebrated the Mass for Christian Burial in the parish church, joined by 14 concelebrating priests.

Extolled as “a caring man” and “a people’s priest,” Father Santitoro founded the parish in 1985 and served as its pastor until he retired in 2011.  The parish served several retirement and active adult communities in Toms River and Berkeley Township near the Route 37 corridor.

“Bishop Reiss challenged him to create a community and build a parish,” said Msgr. Gervasio, whose friendship with “Father Frank” dates back to their days in St. Joachim Parish, Trenton. “Frank was a builder, not just of this physical building.  He wanted to build up the spiritual lives of his people.”

 In his homily, Deacon Albert Pacitti noted the parish’s concentration of seniors befit Father Santitoro’s greatest concern: “He always worried about senior citizens.  He started a food pantry and a senior day care center.  Father Frank wanted a hot meal served at bingo.  He said, ‘At least on Tuesday and Thursday, they could have a hot meal.’”

Deacon Pacitti drew gentle laughter from the congregation as he recalled Father Santitoro’s humanity and fun-loving nature. “We all laughed at the corny jokes he always told and his practical jokes. The parties in our church auditorium were like a family party.”

Msgr. Gervasio reflected, “Father Frank sought to bring his people along on this journey of faith.  His faith energized him to accomplish so many things as a priest. He would always say, ‘My people are very good.  They come together in a spirit of community.’ His love was so evident, people were attracted to his simplicity of life and how he poured his heart and soul into the task.”

At the invitation of Father Stephen M. Piga, the community’s current pastor, many parishioners and guests gathered in, appropriately, the bingo hall following the funeral Mass, where they cherished and shared their memories of the priest who called them into community.

Jemma Kasper recalled, “Father Frank was wonderful.  He renewed my wedding vows when my husband and I were married 50 years. After my husband passed on, Father would always mention my husband when we talked.” 

Fran Carol added, “He did a great job, and was always doing something for the church.  He was friendly to everyone.”

Other parishioners described him as a strong leader.  Roslyn Iacobino called him “a sensible, smart man who did a lot for his parish.”  Edward Mikolajczyk added, “I was here from the beginning.  He was a leading force, and the parish pitched in.”

Music minister Jack May called him “a caring man who thanked people for what they did for the parish. This beautiful church is his legacy.”

“He understood the sacrifices people made,” said Theresa Di Salvo, a friend of Father Santitoro’s sister, Ann Vispetti, and a member of Our Lady of Sorrows –St. Anthony Parish,  Hamilton.  “One year he ordered 150 chains from my jewelry business for those who worked in the parish.  He knew it took a village to build a church. They came out for him.  He was a piece of their heart.”

Father Santitoro will be entombed in St. Joseph Cemetery temporarily.  When construction of the mausoleum on the grounds of St. Maximilian Kolbe Church is completed, his body will rest in the faith community he and his people created.