Msgr. Louis J. Mazza

Msgr. Louis J. Mazza, who served at Immaculate Conception parish in Sleepy Hollow for 27 years, died June 7 at Edward Cardinal Egan Pavilion of the St. John Vianney Clergy Residence in the Bronx. He was 90.

Msgr. Mazza served at Immaculate Conception as senior priest administrator, 2009-2013; pastor, 1993-2009; and administrator, 1986-1993.

A Funeral Mass was offered June 15 at St. John II Parish Immaculate Conception with Auxiliary Bishop Gerald T. Walsh, vicar for clergy in the archdiocese, serving as celebrant and Father Matthew F. Fernan, pastor at St. Eugene’s parish in Yonkers, as homilist.

“He was a small man with a huge personality,” Father Fernan said.

Father Fernan said the two became friends in 2011. They often would see each other at meetings, and began chatting after one meeting and went to dinner. The two started meeting every few weeks for lunch or dinner.

Father Fernan said Msgr. Mazza was known for his faith, personality, openness, sense of humor and the bear hugs he gave.

“The (Immaculate Conception) community is not a huge community, but one he was very much involved in. Everyone got to know him,” he said.

Father Fernan last saw Msgr. Mazza about a month ago when the two celebrated Msgr. Mazza’s 90th birthday at one of Msgr. Mazza’s favorite restaurants, DeCosta’s in Yonkers.

“That night he was going to pay. I said, ‘No, this was your birthday dinner.’ He was very generous as well,’’ Father Fernan said.

“He was a good friend and I will miss him dearly.’’

Before his arrival at Immaculate Conception, Msgr. Mazza served as pastor at St. Christopher, Red Hook, 1980-1986.

He was parochial vicar at St. Christopher, Buchanan, 1975-1980; St. Bernard’s, Manhattan, 1969-1975; St. Francis of Assisi, Mount Vernon, 1966-1969; Holy Family, Manhattan, 1965-1966; St. Ann, Yonkers, 1964-1965; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Bronx, 1955-1964; St. Joseph, New Rochelle, 1954-1955; and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Poughkeepsie, 1953-1954.

Born in the Bronx, he attended P.S. 34 in the Bronx before graduating from Catholic Central High School in Troy.

He studied for the priesthood at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie. He held a master’s degree in counseling from Iona College. He was ordained by Cardinal Francis Spellman in 1953 and named a monsignor in 2006.

Burial was at St. Raymond Cemetery in the Bronx.