Ristuccia

Father Leon C. Ristuccia, O.F.M.

Posted

Father Leon C. Ristuccia, O.F.M., a professed Franciscan friar for 72 years and a priest for 68 years, died March 19 at Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J. He was 94. 

He resided at Holy Cross parish, the Bronx, 1951-1963, while preaching parish missions and retreats as a member of the province’s mission band. He was a member of the Provincial House of Prayer in Callicoon, 1976-1978, and Warwick, 1978-1987.

He served as parochial vicar at a parish in Connecticut; was pastoral associate at a shrine and ministry at a retreat center in Massachusetts; and did ministry at a social service center in New Jersey.

He entered the Franciscans of the Holy Name Province at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., in 1940 and professed final vows in 1944. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1945.

He retired in 2002, and transferred to Holy Name Friary last year.

Born in New York City, he earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Francis College and a master’s in Latin from St. Bonaventure University. He completed philosophical studies at St. Anthony’s Friary in Butler and theological studies at Holy Name College in Washington, D.C.

A Funeral Mass was offered March 22 at St. Anthony’s Church in Butler. Burial was at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Butler.                  

Father Leon C. Ristuccia, O.F.M.