OBITUARY

Father August Kita, 76

Published: 07.02.08

Salesian Father August J. Kita, former director of Mary Help of Christians School in Tampa, died June 12 in Suffern, N.Y. He was 76.

Father Kita was born Aug. 9, 1931, in Bayonne, N.J. He graduated from Don Bosco Prep High School in Ramsey, N.J., in 1949, and entered the Salesians of Don Bosco community novitiate in Newton, N.J., just a few months after his high school graduation. He made his first profession as a Salesian Sept. 8, 1950, and was ordained a priest June 4, 1960.

Father Kita’s education included a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Don Bosco College in Newton; a theology degree from the Salesian seminary in Aptos, Calif.; a licentiate in canon law from the Salesian Pontifical Athenaeum in Rome; and a master’s in education from Seton Hall University, South Orange, N.J.

Although Father Kita taught religion, English and social studies at various Salesian schools, his service was not solely in the classroom. From 1962 to 1967, he was assigned to Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, La., as prefect of studies and later as director of religious activities. In 1967, he was appointed director of Salesian Junior Seminary in Goshen, N.Y., and in 1972 was named director of Sacred Heart Juniorate and Novitiate in Ipswich, Mass. He also served as province coordinator for the Salesian Cooperators, based at Don Bosco College, Newton (1982-85); as director to the Sacred Heart Retreat Center in Ipswich (1985-88); on the retreat staff at the Don Bosco Retreat House in Haverstraw, N.Y. (1988-92, 1995-97); and as pastor of Holy Rosary and St. John Bosco Parishes in Birmingham, Ala., and director of the Salesian community there (1992-95).

Father Kita was director at Mary Help of Christians from 1975 to 1982. At the time, the school was an all-boys middle school (grades six-eight) and enrolled both boarding and day students.

He retired from active ministry in 1997 due to failing health and spent his remaining years in nursing homes.

The Salesians say the priest was known for his kindness and generosity. To the children, he was a helper, friend and guide with a grandfatherly manner. He also was known for his love of events, especially parties, where he could be counted upon for a rendition of “Don’t Fence Me In.”

Salesian Provincial Father James Heuser said Father Kita possessed simplicity of life, a kind heart, love for Don Bosco, enthusiasm and a sense of self-sacrifice. Former provincial of the Marian Shrine Salesian community, Father Richard McCormick, described the Father Kita as “a man whose heart was as big as his body,” someone who was “always energetically happy.”

The Mass of Christian Burial for Father Kita was celebrated at the Marian Shrine chapel in Haverstraw-Stony Point June 16. He was buried in the Salesian cemetery at Goshen, N.Y.

Survivors include two sisters, Eleanor Kita of Bayonne, N.J., and Rose Ormsby; two brothers-in-law; two nieces and a nephew.

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