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| January 6, 2009 |
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OBITUARYMsgr. Francis J. Fazzalaro, musician and canon lawyer Msgr. Fazzalaro was pastor emeritus of St. Gabrial Parish in Pompano Beach. POMPANO BEACH | Best known as chief judge of the archdiocesan Tribunal, where he served for 15 years, Msgr. Francis J. Fazzalaro also was an accomplished pianist who wrote the words and music for a book-full of hymns. “He has had them published under the name ‘The Pastor’s Hymnal,’” said Father Anthony Mulderry, who succeeded Msgr. Fazzalaro as pastor of St. Gabriel Parish in Pompano Beach. The hymnal is available at the parish. Msgr. Fazzalaro died Oct. 27 at age 88. His funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 31 at St. Gabriel, with Archbishop John C. Favalora and many priests from the archdiocese concelebrating. Burial took place a few days later in his home town of Meriden, Conn. “He enjoyed good health up to about a month ago,” said Father Mulderry, but Msgr. Fazzalaro never recovered after collapsing at Publix during his weekly shopping trip there with his sister, Eleanor Fazzalaro. “He was dedicated to his one sister who survived him,” Father Mulderry said. She called him “my best friend.” Father Mulderry described Msgr. Fazzalaro as a very private person and “very much a by-the-book churchman.” When he served as judicial vicar or chief judge of the Tribunal, “all of us realized that if you sent paperwork to him you had to cross your t’s and dot your i’s,” Father Mulderry said. Msgr. Fazzalaro left the Tribunal in 1981 and became pastor of St. Gabriel in 1983. He retired from active ministry in October 2003. “He renovated the church, put on a new roof, and put on something that I really appreciate these days, which are very superb shutters on all the buildings,” Father Mulderry said. Msgr. Fazzalaro had been a priest for 62 years, 41 of those in the Archdiocese of Miami. He was born June 14, 1919, in Meriden, Conn., one of seven children born to Dominico and Rose DeMaria Fazzalaro. He attended Meriden High School, St. Thomas Preparatory Seminary and St. Bernard Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood March 17, 1945, for the Diocese of Hartford, Conn. In 1950, he received a degree in canon law from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He served as assistant chancellor, promoter of justice, secretary to the bishop, chief judge and vice chancellor of the Hartford Diocese and was given the honorary title of monsignor in 1957 by Pope Pius XII. He transferred to the Miami diocese in 1966. His first assignment was as associate pastor of Holy Family Church in North Miami from 1966 to 1969. He was pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes Church in Miami Lakes from 1969 to 1974, and administrator and pastor of St. Lawrence Church in North Miami Beach from 1974 to 1983. He began working at the Tribunal in 1966 and served as adjutant judicial vicar (assistant chief judge) from 1967 to 1969, when he was named judicial vicar. Msgr. Fazzalaro also served as chaplain to both the Catholic Lawyers Guild and the Broward County Serra Club. In addition to his sister, he is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and many dear friends. Donations in his name may be made to St. John Vianney Seminary, 2900 S.W. 87 Ave., Miami, FL 33165; or to St. Vincent de Paul Seminary, 10701 S. Military Trail, Boynton Beach, FL 33436. |
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