Rev. John A. Prinelli

Father John Anthony Prinelli, of Pearisburg, Pastor of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Pearisburg and Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Christiansburg, departed this life Saturday morning September 15, 2012 at Lewis-Gale Montgomery Hospital in Blacksburg. Born in Hackensack, N.J., he was a son of the late John A Prinelli Sr. and Theresa Menchise Prinelli. Father Prinelli leaves to cherish his memory his sister, Florinda Delseni, of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.; his niece and two nephews.

Father Prinelli was educated at Assumption Elementary School and Bergen Catholic High School. He graduated from Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Languages. He attended Seminary at the North American College in Rome, Italy and graduated in 1978. Father Prinelli was ordained to the priesthood on August 12, 1978 by Bishop Walter Sullivan at Assumption in Emerson, N.J. He had an active ministry celebrating Mass in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese weekly. He was also a veteran of the U S Army, and served in Viet Nam.

A faithful priest of the Diocese of Richmond for 34 years, Father Prinelli served the following parishes: Our Lady of Lourdes (1978-1982); Good Shepherd, South Hill (1982-1985); Saint Bernard, Gate City (1982-1985); Saint Catherine of Siena Clarksville (1982-1985); Saint Andrew the Apostle, Chincoteague Island (1985-1998); Holy Family, Pearisburg, (1998-2012); and Holy Spirit, Christiansburg (1998-2012).

The family will receive friends at the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Pearisburg, Monday from 2 until 4 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated by The Most Reverend Francis X. DiLorenzo at Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Christiansburg, Tuesday at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or the Diabetes Association.