Msgr. Mercurio A. Fregapane
Deceased: 2017-01-12
Diocese: HARRISBURG
ICTE Spring: 1990
Msgr. Mercurio A. Fregapane, 88, A Servant of the Lord, passed into eternal life on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at home surrounded by loving family. Msgr Fregapane was born May 26, 1928, in Cattolica Eraclea Sicily, the son of the late Aurelio and Rosa (Pennino) Fregapane. In 1948 at the age of 20, he immigrated to the United States with his family. Following completion of his studies at St. Charles Seminary, Msgr Fregapane was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa., in 1951.
His 65-plus years of service to the Church have included many pastoral ministries and apostolates throughout the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida, where he lived in retirement since 2002. He has served as assistant Pastor and Pastor at many parishes in the Diocese of Harrisburg, and assisted at many parishes during his retirement in the Diocese of St. Petersburg with special affection for the Hispanic community. The various apostolates he has served during his career – Encuentro, Cursillo, Marriage Encounter, the Legion of Mary, charismatic groups and the Knights of Columbus among others – reflects a small part of what has been a long and impactful career of his service to the people. In 1961 Msgr. Fregapane was named the first Vicar for Hispanic/migrant ministry in all of the United States.
Msgr Fregapane is also survived by three brothers and three sisters, Charles Fregapane, and Joseph Fregapane and his wife, Mary Frances, all of Florida, Vincent Fregapane of San Diego, Calif., Sister Mary Veronica OP of the Dominican Monastery of the Perpetual Rosary in Lancaster, Pa., Mrs. Josephine Sibol, and Mrs. Mary Arcuri and her husband, Richard, of York, Pa.; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, grand-nephews and grandnieces. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Mrs. Antonina Falci, and Mrs. Gesua Mingora.
A viewing will be on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 from 5 to 7 p.m. followed by the Vigil Mass at Saint Patrick Church, 219 South Beaver Street, York, PA.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Saint Patrick Church, 219 South Beaver Street, York, PA followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Holy Savior Cemetery, York, PA.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Dominican Nuns of the Perpetual Rosary, 1834 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601; or to Catholic Charities, Diocese of St. Petersburg, Inc., Jeff Forbes Center, 1213 16th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33705. Arrangements entrusted to the John W. Keffer Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc. York.
