Msgr. Robert R. Mazziotta

Msgr. Robert R. Mazziotta, pastor emeritus of Our Lady of Pity parish on Staten Island, died Nov. 4 at his home in the Bronx. He was 91. He was pastor of Our Lady of Pity from 1982 to 1990. A Funeral Mass was to be offered Nov. 8 at Holy Rosary Church on Staten Island, where Msgr. Mazziotta had once served as pastor. Auxiliary Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan, vicar general, was to be the celebrant, with Father Louis R. Gigante, retired from service in St. Athanasius parish, the Bronx, as homilist. Cardinal Egan was unable to participate in the liturgy because he was in Paris, France, delivering a lecture on Catholic education at UNESCO and with the sponsorship of the Holy See and Fordham University. He said in a letter to be read at the Mass: "It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of our dear Msgr. Robert Mazziotta. I have known Monsignor for many years and have always seen in him a dedicated priest of Jesus Christ. He has been a devoted pastor in several of our parishes and a military chaplain as well. In addition, by his manner of life he has demonstrated a deep commitment to the Lord and His Church. He will be greatly missed by the Archbishop, the clergy, religious and laity of the Archdiocese of New York." Msgr. Richard J. Guastella, pastor at Holy Rosary, described Msgr. Mazziotta as "a simple priest in the best sense of that word." He was "always there for the people," and regularly made himself available by personally answering the rectory door and the telephone. "There were countless people he helped in an extremely quiet way," Msgr. Guastella said, adding that Msgr. Mazziotta was also a "priest's priest." "I think there were a number of priests that really looked up to him," he said, "because he was so respectful of people, and went out of his way to be of service to them." Earlier, Msgr. Mazziotta served as pastor at St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus, the Bronx, 1974-1982, and Holy Rosary, 1968-1974. He was administrator of Holy Rosary from 1963 to 1968. Msgr. Mazziotta was parochial vicar of Our Lady of Grace, the Bronx, 1956-1963, and Holy Rosary, Manhattan, 1945-1956 and 1941-1943. From 1943 to 1945, he served as a U.S. Army chaplain. Born in Manhattan, he attended Xavier High School, Manhattan. He studied for the priesthood at Cathedral College and at St. Joseph's Seminary in Dunwoodie. He was ordained in 1941 and named a monsignor in 1965. He is survived by a brother, Thomas. Burial was to be in Resurrection Cemetery on Staten Island.