EAST HARTFORD – Father John P. Rohan, 67, of East Hartford, formerly of Manchester, died on Jan. 20, 2013, at his home.

He was born in Manchester on Feb. 14, 1945, the son of the late Dorothy McHale and John Gorman Rohan. He graduated in 1966 from St. Thomas Seminary High School and Junior College in Bloomfield. He then pursued graduate studies at Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure, N.Y.

Ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1972, by Archbishop John F. Whealon, Father Rohan served as an assistant pastor at St. John of the Cross Parish in Middlebury in 1972-73. In 1973, he was appointed to St. Rita Parish in Hamden, and then in 1976 was assigned to Blessed Sacrament Parish in Hamden. In September 1979, he was appointed co-pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Naugatuck, a position he held until September 1981, when he became director of Catholic chaplains and co-director of the Department of Pastoral Care at Hartford Hospital.

While at Hartford Hospital, Father Rohan served on the ethics committee and was a founding member of the Trauma Support Team. He then served as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in South Windsor from 1989 until December 2001.

He became priest in residence at St. Rose Parish in East Hartford. In May of 2004, when that parish was linked with St. Isaac Jogues, he became the administrator of both.

In January of 2005, St. Mary’s Parish in East Hartford joined St. Rose and St. Isaac Jogues, and Father Rohan was appointed pastor of the three parishes in the cluster, a position he held until his death.

Father Rohan served as a trustee of Goodwin College in its early years and was chairman of the academic committee. He developed a unique partnership between the college and St. Rose School. He also ministered to the retired Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur at Julie House in Windsor.

Known as a gifted preacher, he studied in the fellowship program at the College of Preachers in Washington, D.C., and taught homiletics for many years to the permanent deacon candidates in the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Father Rohan is survived by a niece and by cousins. He was predeceased by his brother Michael.

A parish Mass was celebrated on Jan. 23 at St. Mary Church. Archbishop Henry J. Mansell was the principal celebrant of a Mass of Christian Burial the next morning at St. Mary. Burial followed in St. James Cemetery in Manchester.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rose Church, 33 Church St., East Hartford, CT 06108.

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – Passionist Father Cassian Yuhaus, 90, a church historian and a noted pioneer of religious renewal, died on Feb. 14 at St. Luke’s Villa Hospice.

Father Cassian, who had a doctorate in Church history, was a professor of Church history at various Passionist Monasteries in the eastern United States, including at Holy Family Monastery in West Hartford, from 1954-68.

A research scholar, noted international lecturer and innovator in Catholic Church renewal, Father Yuhaus served in leadership positions in the Passionist community. He coordinated the Religious Life Program for the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate  in Washington, D.C., from 1975-80 and was president of CARA from 1980-84.

In the years after the Second Vatican Council, Father Yuhaus became an international consultant for religious communities of brothers, sisters and priests. He also was a published author.

Father Yuhaus served as rector of St. Ann’s Monastery and Basilica in Scranton, Pa., from 1998 until 2002 and resided there until his death.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Retired Bishop Norbert M. Dorsey, 83, a native of Springfield, Mass., died on Feb. 21 in Orlando.

A Passionist priest, he was bishop of Orlando from 1990 until his retirement in 2004.

He studied philosophy and theology in Jamaica, N.Y., and Union City, N.J., earning a master’s degree in theology before being ordained to the priesthood by Passionist Bishop Cuthbert O’Gara on April 28, 1956, at St. Michael’s Monastery in Union City.

He then studied sacred eloquence for a year in West Springfield before going on to study in Munich, London and Rome. He held the degrees of maestro from the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music and doctor of sacred theology from the Gregorian University.

Father Dorsey was a theology professor and director of formation at Holy Family Passionist Monastery in West Hartford for five years. He then became rector of the monastery and theologate in West Springfield.

In 1968, he was elected provincial consultor for the Eastern Province of the Passionists. During this time, he was director of personnel and also the dean of studies and formation. In 1976, Father Dorsey was elected assistant general of the Passionists worldwide, and re-elected in 1982.

WINDSOR – Father Genaro J. Testa, 91, formerly of Windsor, passed away on Feb. 17, 2013, at Union General Hospital in Blairsville, Ga.

He was born on March 28, 1921, in Hartford, a son of the late Joseph and Vita (Pezzullo) Testa. He grew up in the Wilson section of Windsor and was the first member of St. Gertrude Parish there to be ordained a priest. He studied at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield and St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore.

He was ordained on May 15, 1947, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford by then-Bishop Henry J. O’Brien. He served as assistant pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Stamford, St. Mary in Derby, St. Mary in Windsor Locks, St. Mary in East Hartford, St. Ann in Hamden, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Waterbury and Holy Rosary in Ansonia.

He was the administrator and co-pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in East Haven. In 1980, Father Testa was appointed to St. John the Evangelist Parish in Watertown. In 1987, he retired and moved to Florida, where he ministered at St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral. Over the years, Father Testa served as a chaplain to the Connecticut State Police, Italian American Club in Cape Coral and the New Haven County Sheriff’s Association.

He is survived by many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers Pasquale, John, James and Fran; and his sisters Vera Testa, Cecilia Parsons, Mary Deronk, Ann MacNeil and Margaret Russo.

Archbishop Henry J. Mansell celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial on March 1 at St. Gertrude Church. Burial followed in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield.

NEW PRESTON – Father Robert W. Ladish, 85, of New Preston, died on March 5, 2013, at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford.

He was born in Hartford, a son of the late John Edward and Mary (Farrell) Ladish, and was raised in West Hartford. He studied for the priesthood at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield and St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester, N.Y.

He was ordained on May 14, 1953, by Archbishop Henry J. O’Brien in the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford.

Father Ladish served as assistant pastor at St. Mary Parish in Meriden from 1953-56 and at St. John the Evangelist Parish in New Haven from 1956-59. He then pursued graduate studies at Fairfield University, and from 1960-62 was the assistant pastor at SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Waterbury.

On Sept. 22, 1962, Father Ladish was appointed chaplain at Mount Sacred Heart Novitiate and Academy in Hamden. He subsequently was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in New Haven in 1976, and then, on March 3, 1989, as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Torrington, where he would serve until his retirement on April 30, 2003. From July 1, 1997, until his retirement, Father Ladish also served as administrator of St. Mary Church in Torrington.

He is survived by his brother John of Pennsylvania and 12 nieces and nephews, Kenneth, Mary Jo, Amy, Robert, John, Stephen, David, Paul, Janet, William, Sarah and Gretchen. He was predeceased by his brother William and his sister Anne Kendall.

Archbishop Henry J. Mansell celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial on March 8 in the chapel at St. Thomas Seminary, 467 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield.

Donations in memory of Father Ladish may be made at www.alz.org.

WATERBURY – Gertrude "Mertz" (Lucian) D’Alonges, of Waterbury, passed away on March 13, 2013, at Waterbury Hospital, three days after her 95th birthday.

She was the wife of 65 years of the late Nicholas A. D’Alonges, a former Waterbury Probate Court clerk, and the mother of the late Father John P. D’Alonges, a former pastor of St. Peter Parish in Torrington.

She was born on March 10, 1918, in Waterbury, a daughter of the late Paul and Vita (LoRusso) Lucian.

She was an employee of Uniroyal for many years, a communicant of St. Patrick Church, where she belonged to the Ladies Guild, and was a member of the Town Plot Neighborhood Association.

Mrs. D’Alonges is survived by her daughter Beverly Gugliotti of Middlebury: five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her siblings Domenic, George, Rocco, Anthony, William, Mary, Anna, Helen and Rose Lucian.

Donations may be made in her memory to St. Patrick’s Church, 50 Charles St., Waterbury, CT 06708.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on March 18 at St. Patrick Church. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery.

WEST HARTFORD – Sister Mary (Eleanor Frances) Crowley, of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, died on March 13, 2013, at St. Mary Home.

She was born in the Pawcatuck section of Westerly, R.I., on May 28, 1922, a daughter of the late Fred and Alice (Donnelly) Crowley. After several years of employment, she entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 24, 1942, the feast of Our Lady of Mercy, and made her profession of religious vows on June 28, 1945.

Sister Mary earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from St. Joseph College in West Hartford and a master’s degree in religion from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vt. She taught in elementary schools throughout Connecticut until 1979, when she changed direction and served as a pastoral associate and director of religious education at St. Mary Parish in East Hartford. She then became the office manager at St. Elizabeth House in Hartford, and then business manager and bookkeeper at McAuley House in Providence, R.I. She returned to Connecticut in 2000 as an accounting clerk at Mercy Housing and Shelter in Hartford, where she remained until her retirement in 2006.

Sister Mary is survived by her brother Charles, of Pawcatuck; many nieces and nephews; and her religious community. She was predeceased by her sisters, Eleanor Crowley and Elizabeth C. Gervasini, and her brothers Francis, James and Joseph Crowley.

A funeral Mass was celebrated on March 25 in the chapel of St. Mary Home. Burial was in St. Mary Cemetery.

Memorial donations in Sister Mary’s name may be sent to the Sisters of Mercy, 155 E. Cedar St., Newington, CT 06111 or Outreach Haiti, 199 Broadway, Norwich, CT 0636

WILTON – Sister Vernice (Mary Angelus) Molinari, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, West Hartford, died on March 26, 2013, at Lourdes Health Care Center in Wilton. She was 83.

She was born on May 24, 1929, in Greenwich, a daughter of the late Angelo Mario Molinari and Angeline Mary (Judice) Molinari.

She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on Sept. 8, 1948, and professed her religious vows on Aug. 24, 1954.

Sister Vernice earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from the Diocesan Teachers College in West Hartford and a master’s degree in education as a reading consultant from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.

She taught in the Archdiocese of Hartford and Bridgeport Diocese for a number of years, followed by four years as a teacher in the Reading Lab at Sacred Heart Academy in Stamford.

In 1977, Sister Vernice founded the Cedar Court School at her community’s provincial house in West Hartford, where she remained as principal until 1998.

Survivors include her religious community; her sisters Marguerite Roberts and Patricia Fomenko; two aunts; and nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by two brothers, Theodore and Lou F. Molinari; and a sister, Dominica (Donnie) Molinari.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on April 3 in St. Joseph Chapel at the Convent of Mary Immaculate in West Hartford. Burial was to take place at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 27 Park Road, West Hartford, CT 06119.

WEST HARTFORD – Sister Mary Anne (Catherine Anne) Roddy, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, West Hartford, died on March 27, 2013, at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford at age 87. She was in her 70th year of religious life.

She was born on Jan. 23, 1926, in Stamford, a daughter of the late Michael Joseph Roddy and Anne Mary (Pilkington) Roddy. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on Sept. 24, 1943, and professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 24, 1949.

Sister Mary Anne earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education at the Diocesan Sisters College in West Hartford, a Master of Education degree from Fairfield University and a Certificate of Pastoral Care from Weston School of Theology in Cambridge, Mass.

She taught and was principal of schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford and Diocese of Bridgeport, including at St. Joseph School in New Britain and Our Lady of Sorrows School in Hartford, as well as in Lee, Mass. She also was a pastoral care associate for seven years at St. Joseph Hospital in Stamford.

For 21 years, Sister Mary Anne ministered as the property/maintenance manager of her community’s West Hartford provincial house.

In addition to her religious community, Sister Mary Anne is survived by three nieces and a cousin. She was predeceased by her brother Joseph and her sisters Mary Hilder and Rita Roddy.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 7 p.m. April 1 in St. Joseph Chapel at the Convent of Mary Immaculate in West Hartford. Burial followed in the Sisters of St. Joseph Cemetery in West Hartford.

Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 27 Park Road, West Hartford, CT 06119.

NEW HAVEN – Vincentian Father George J. Dabrowski died in Philadelphia on April 6, 2013, at age 82. He was an ordained priest for 55 years.

He was born on July 29, 1930, in Hamden, a son of the late Joseph Dabrowski and Sophia (Piascik) Dabrowski.

He was ordained to the priesthood on May 31, 1958. Over the next six years, Father Dabrowski served as a parish priest at St. Stanislaus in New Haven and as a teacher at St. John Kanty Prep School in Erie, Pa. He then was a chaplain in the United States Air Force, retiring in 1989 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

From 1990 to 1992, Father Dabrowski served as the archivist and superior at his order’s provincial house in West Hartford. He then spent three years in parishes in Lisbon Falls, Me., and Concord, N.H. In 1995, he returned to Connecticut to be the archivist and superior at De Paul Provincial House in Manchester.

He retired to St. Joseph’s Residence in Enfield in 2003 for health reasons. Later, he was transferred to St. Catherine’s Infirmary in Philadelphia, which is run by the Vincentian Fathers.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on April 11 at St. Stanislaus Church in New Haven, Burial followed in All Saints Cemetery in North Haven.

WEST HARTFORD – Father John C. Blackall, former pastor of St. Cecilia Parish in Waterbury, died on May 18, 2013, surrounded by his family in his home.

He was born on Aug. 23, 1926, in Waterbury, a son of John C. Blackall, a former state senator and state insurance commissioner, and Mae (Kelly) Blackall.

He is survived by his brother, Father L. Randall Blackall, and sisters Frances B. Blanchfield and Joan Mackas, all of West Hartford.

He graduated from St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield and St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1951, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford by then-Bishop Henry J. O'Brien. He served as parochial vicar at St. Thomas Parish in Goshen.

He was then assigned to St. Thomas Church in Waterbury, where his lifelong ministry to the Catholic Hispanic community began. He studied the Spanish language in order to minister to the Catholic Hispanic community. He was then assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish in Waterbury, where he celebrated the first Spanish Mass in Waterbury on Sept. 29, 1957.

In 1959, he was appointed to St. Cecilia Parish in Waterbury, where he established a center for Spanish-speaking people. He served the parishioners of this parish for more than 40 years.

Among his many accomplishments were sponsoring refugee families from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Viet Nam and Cambodia, as well as being a social activist for Catholic causes. His awards include the prestigious archdiocesan Mission Society Award and the Bishop Donnelly Memorial Award for outstanding individual achievement toward Catholic social justice.

In his retirement, he continued to serve the Catholic community by celebrating the Mass and administering the sacraments at various parishes.

Father Blackall also is survived by his nephews and nieces and several grandnieces and great-grand nieces and nephews.

Auxiliary Bishop Christie A. Macaluso, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Hartford, celebrated a Mass of Christian Buria on May 21 at St. Peter Claver Church. Burial was in his family plot at Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford.

Donations in Father Blackall’s memory may be made to Archdiocese of Hartford Catholic Charities, 839-841 Asylum Ave., Hartford, CT 06105-2801.

BLOOMFIELD – Father Stanley J. Sikora, 82, died peacefully on June 21, 2013, at the Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin Residence at St. Thomas Seminary.

He was born on Oct. 29, 1930, in New Britain, a son of the late Adam and Ewa (Puzio) Sikora. He was predeceased by two brothers and two sisters, and is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He studied at New Britain High School and St. Thomas Seminary before going on to St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland.

He was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1957, in St. Lawrence O'Toole Church in Hartford by Archbishop Henry J. O'Brien.

Father Sikora served as temporary assistant pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Waterbury from June until October 1957, when he became assistant pastor at SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Hartford. He was appointed assistant pastor at St. Casimir Parish in Terryville in 1965, St. Stanislaus Parish in Bristol in 1967, SS. Cyril and Methodius again in 1969, Sacred Heart Parish in New Britain in 1976, St. Jerome Parish in New Britain in 1978, and St. Mary Parish in Milford in 1984. On Aug. 2, 1993, Father Sikora was appointed administrator of St. Stanislaus Parish in Waterbury. He retired in 2001.

Archbishop Henry J. Mansell celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial on June 26 in Sacred Heart Church in New Britain. Burial followed in Sacred Heart Cemetery, New Britain.

BRANFORD – Father Raymond J. Barry, 73, former pastor of St. Therese Parish in Branford, died on June 23, 2013, in Yale-New Haven Hospital.

He was born in White Plains, N.Y., on Dec. 20, 1939, a son of the late Arthur L. and Theresa (Munz) Barry.

He studied at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield and graduated from St. Bonaventure University and Christ the King Seminary in Olean, N.Y. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1965, by Archbishop Henry J. O'Brien in the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford.

Father Barry served as assistant pastor at the Church of the Incarnation in Wethersfield and then at St. Martin de Porres Parish in New Haven. He was pastor of St. Martin de Porres from Feb.  22, 1977, to June 15, 1981. He then served as a chaplain at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Father Barry was named pastor of St. Therese Parish in Branford on June 15, 1994, and served there until retiring in 2006 because of illness.

He is survived by his twin brother Edward, of Old Saybrook, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Arthur L. Barry Jr.

A parish Mass was celebrated on June 26 at St. Therese Church in Branford. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Archbishop Henry J. Mansell June 27 in St. Therese Church. Burial followed in Resurrection Cemetery in Westbrook.

Memorial donations may be sent to St. Therese Church, 105 Leetes Island Road, Branford, CT 06405, or to Smilow Cancer Hospital, 20 York St., New Haven, CT 06511.

WEST HARTFORD – Sister Mary Lee D’Arche, of the Sisters of Mercy, died on July 1, 2013, at St. Mary Home.

She was born in Hartford on Oct. 13, 1929, a daughter of the late Wilburt and Rosa Lee (Moss) D’Arche. She graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy and entered the Sisters of Mercy at age 17. She taught in the primary grades in schools throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford while earning a Bachelor of Science degree in education and a Master of Arts degree in religious studies from St. Joseph College.

After 21 years of teaching, Sister Mary Lee went into other ministries, including as religious education coordinator for the Archdiocese of Hartford; a team member at Mercy Center in Madison; parish ministry at St. John the Evangelist in New Haven; retreat work in Pinehurst, N.C.; and missionary work in Guatemala.

Sister Mary Lee studied Spanish and earned a nursing degree. After working at St. Mary Home and St. Elizabeth Health Center in East Hartford, she went to Belize, where she was instrumental in setting up and directing Mercy Clinic in Belize City. She also administered HelpAge Belize and later returned to Mercy Clinic, where she developed an outreach/visiting nurse program. She was devoted to ministering to the dying.

In 2005 Sister Mary Lee was awarded the Humanitarian Award by the Belize City Council. She returned to Connecticut in 2008.

Sister Mary Lee is survived by a sister, Suzanne Beers of California; brothers Gayle D’Arche of Arizona and Jerome D’Arche of Minnesota; many nieces and nephews; and her Mercy community.

A funeral Mass was celebrated on July 8 in the chapel at St. Mary Home. Burial was on July 9 in St. Mary Cemetery.

WEST HARTFORD – Sister Patricia Barry, of the Sisters of Mercy, died on June 22, 2013.

She was born on Aug. 17, 1934, in Norwich, a daughter of the late William and Eugenie (Rouleau) Barry. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 8, 1952, and professed her vows on Aug. 15, 1955.

Sister Patricia was dedicated to Catholic education for more than 50 years. She was the superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Norwich, regional director of elementary schools for the Archdiocese of Boston, and, for the past 16 years, associate director and deputy director of the Commission on Independent Schools of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

She held a Bachelor of Arts degree in education, a Master of Arts degree in mathematics education and a diploma of Advanced Graduate Studies in administration and supervision. She received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice papal award for service to the Church, the Award for Distinguished Service to the Diocese of Norwich and the National Catholic Education Association’s Award for Outstanding Service to Catholic Education.

Sister Patricia worked extensively in the area of school evaluation and accreditation, developing a process for peer evaluation of the elementary schools and establishing the Norwich Diocesan Accrediting Agency, which was recognized by the Connecticut State Board of Education. She assisted several dioceses in preparing for elementary school accreditation and participated in two revisions of the protocol for the Commission on Independent Schools.

Her parents and a sister, Therese Marie Barry Wojtcuk, predeceased her. She is survived by her sister, Sister of Mercy Jeanne Barry, of Warwick, R.I.; many nieces and nephews; a cousin; and her Mercy community.

WEST HARTFORD – Frances Blackall Blanchfield, 90, wife of the late William E. Blanchfield, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2013, at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford.

She was born on Nov. 17, 1922, in Waterbury, a daughter of the late State Senator and Insurance Commissioner John C. Blackall and Mae Kelly Blackall. She graduated in 1939 from Mount St. Joseph Academy and in 1943 from the University of St. Joseph.

She then followed her lifelong passion for helping others by becoming a social worker for the state Department of Child and Family Services. She spent over 30 years volunteering at the House of Bread in Hartford. She also volunteered for Meals on Wheels, St. Francis Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, St. Thomas Seminary Women’s Guild, St. Thomas Apostle School Parent Teacher Organization and the Women’s Club of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. For many years, she was a member of the Distinguished Alumni Committee at the University of St. Joseph.

She is survived by her children Stephen and Randall Blanchfield and Barbara Blanchfield Carpenter of West Hartford, and Mary Lee Geary of Storrs; her brother Father L. Randall Blackall and sister Joan Mackas, both of West Hartford; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her brother Father John C. Blackall and uncle Father Charles Kelly.

The funeral was held Aug. 6 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. Donations in her memory may be made to House of Bread, 27 Chestnut Street, Hartford, CT 06120; or Unite for Light 6 Burnham Drive, West Hartford CT 06110.

HAMDEN – Sister Mary Paul DiMola, a member of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, died on July 8, 2013, at Sacred Heart Manor. She was 92.

She was born on March 13, 1921, in New York City, a daughter of the late Paul and Inez Mangini DiMola. She entered the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Aug. 15, 1941, in New Haven, professed her first vows on Aug. 26, 1944 there, and made her profession of perpetual vows on Aug. 22, 1950.

Sister Mary Paul earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Fordham University in New York and a Master of Arts degree in education and English from Fairfield University.

She began her ministry in education, teaching at St. Michael School in New Haven. She then taught at St. Anthony School in New Haven and Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden as well as in California, Florida, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. She also was the religious education coordinator at St. Peter Parish in Higganum and worked with the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults program at St. Lawrence Parish in Killingworth.

Sister Mary Paul retired in 2003 to Sacred Heart Manor, where she assisted in the care of elderly and sick members of her religious community.

She was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Philip and Daniel, and her sisters Dora Santella and Patricia DiMola. She is survived by nieces, nephews and her religious family.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on July 11 in the chapel at Sacred Heart Manor. Burial followed in All Saints Cemetery in North Haven.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Manor, 261 Benham St., Hamden, CT 06514.

NORTHFORD – Father Joseph Parel (Thonakkaraparel), pastor of St. Monica Parish, died on Aug. 5, 2013, while en route to India.

He was born on Dec. 16, 1937, in Kozhuvanal, India.

After attending high school and a minor seminary, he graduated from St. Joseph Pontifical College in Mangalapuzha, Alwaye, India.

He was ordained to the priesthood on March 11, 1967, at St. Mary Church in Lalam Palai, India, by Bishop Sebastian Vayalil of Palai.

Father Parel was named assistant pastor of St. Bridget Parish in December 1980 and of Assumption Parish in Manchester in April 1984. In January, 1991, he became parochial vicar of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Plainville.

Father Parel was temporary administrator of St. Bartholomew Parish in Manchester and St. James in Rocky Hill between September 1993 and May 10, 1994, when he was named temporary administrator of St. Monica Parish. He became pastor of St. Monica’s on April 28, 1995.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Aug. 10 in India. Interment was in Kerala, India.

Archbishop Henry J. Mansell was the principal celebrant of a memorial Mass on Aug. 13 at St. Monica Church.

MILFORD – Father Brian A. Shaw, 73, pastor of St. Ann Parish, died on Aug.19, 2013, at his home.

He was born in Meriden on Sept. 14 1939, a son of the late Julia Catherine Balasa and Thomas F. Shaw. He attended St. Stanislaus School in Meriden and St. John Kanty Prep School in Erie, Pa. He graduated from St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield in 1960 and continued his studies for the priesthood at Christ the King Seminary in St. Bonaventure, N.Y. He received a Doctor of Ministry degree in pastoral psychology in 1977 from Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, Mass.

Father Shaw was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1966, by Archbishop Henry J. O’Brien in the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. He served as a temporary assistant at St. Mary Parish in Meriden and then as assistant pastor at St. Matthew Parish in Forestville from 1966 until 1971. He was appointed assistant pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Yalesville in 1971 and at Holy Cross Parish in New Britain in 1977. In 1980, he was named co-pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in East Haven, where he served until 1986, when he was appointed temporary administrator of SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Wallingford.

On Feb. 2, 1987, Father Shaw was named pastor of St. Stanislaus in Bristol. He then was pastor of Holy Cross Parish in New Britain, where he served for five years until June 30, 2008, when he was named pastor of St. Ann Parish in Milford, where he served until his death.

Father Shaw served as chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Tinto Council 47 and was chaplain of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Bridgeport Division 1. He was also a member of the Gaelic American Club in Fairfield.

Survivors include his brother Michael of Cromwell.

A parish Mass was celebrated on Aug. 23 at St. Ann Church, where Archbishop Henry J. Mansell was the principal celebrant of a Mass of Christian Burial the next morning. Burial was in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Meriden.

Donations in Father Shaw’s memory may be made to St. Ann Foundation in care of St. Ann Church, 501 Naugatuck Ave, Milford, CT 06460.

WETHERSFIELD – Deacon Robert J. D’Efemia, 80, of Wethersfield, husband of the late Mary (Vaitkus) D’Efemia, died peacefully on Aug. 10, 2013.

He was born on Nov. 23, 1932, in Hartford, a son of the late Rocco and Mary Madelyn (Motola) D’Efemia.

Deacon D’Efemia was a graduate of Hartford High School and the University of Hartford. He graduated from the Archdiocese of Hartford’s diaconate formation program and served as a deacon in the Greater Hartford area for many years, including in his last assignment, the Church of the Incarnation in Wethersfield.

He was formerly employed by the Royal Typewriter Co. and retired from Pratt & Whitney as the manager of planning, analysis and cost control. Also a licensed Connecticut real estate broker, he was the vice president and treasurer of the former Kinsella & D’Efemia Real Estate Inc. from 1970-92. 

He is survived by his daughter Donna Coleman of East Haven; grandsons James F. Coleman of Clearwater, Fla., and Brian T. Coleman of East Haven; his sister Lorraine Quelette of Southington; and several nieces and nephews, including James D’Efemia of East Hartford and Anita Baldwin of Coventry. He was recently predeceased by his brother Donald Francis D’Efemia.

Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Peter A. Rosazza celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial on Aug. 14 at the Church of the Incarnation. Burial followed in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Donations in Deacon D’Efemia’s name may be made to the Church of the Incarnation.