Father Francis E. Peluso, O.A.R.

Father Francis E. Peluso, O.A.R., who led the Spanish-speaking Cursillo movement in the archdiocese for six years, died Sept. 15 at Frances Schervier Nursing Care Facility in the Bronx. He was 72. He had recently returned as a priest in residence at St. John's parish, Kingsbridge, the Bronx, where he had resided previously. Father Peluso also had served for two six-year terms as the provincial of the Augustinian Recollects Province of St. Augustine, 1994-2000 and 1981-1987. He also served for two terms as vicar provincial, 1978-1981 and 1969-1972. He was director of the Spanish-speaking Cursillo Apostolate based at St. Joseph's Cursillo Center in the Bronx from 2000 to 2003 and from 1991 to 1994. He also served the Augustinians in religious and seminary formation posts, including master of novices, Eastern region vocation director and president of the vocation secretariat and formation education. Born in Brooklyn, he entered the Augustinian Recollects in 1954 and professed final vows in 1957. He was ordained in 1961. He held degrees from the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and pursued graduate studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He is survived by a sister, Millie Tucci. A Funeral Mass was offered Sept. 19 at St. John's Church, with burial in Ascension Cemetery, Monsey.