1938 2022
Deacon Angel Alicea, died on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at a hospital in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, as a result of complications related to COVID-19.
Deacon Alicea was ordained on October 31, 1981, by Cardinal John Krol, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. He was assigned to Saint Henry Parish, Philadelphia, until October 1988. He moved and was residing in Puerto Rico, where he cared for his wife prior to her death. He did not return to ministry until 2018, at which time, Deacon Alicea assisted at Saint William Parish, Philadelphia, whilst he was residing in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Deacon Alicea was born on December 26, 1938, in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico. He attended Pablo Colon Berdecia High School and graduated in 1954. He then attended Contabilidad at Berean University from 1974 to 1975. From December 11, 1957, to October 19, 1959, he served in the United States Army, which included service in Korea during the Korean Conflict. In civilian life, he was employed as a supervisor for the IRS/Bankruptcy Unit in Philadelphia. In total, he served this agency for 35 years.
On March 22, 1961, Deacon Alicea married Fermina Rivera. They were married 55 years at the time of her death on July 24, 2016. Together, they had five children: Edda Alicea Martinez; Lizette Alicea; Wanda Alicea; Angel Alicea, Jr.; and Robert Alicea. In addition, Deacon Alicea had 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A funeral Mass will be held in Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. Following this funeral Mass, Deacon Alicea’s body will be returned to Philadelphia for a second funeral Liturgy.
Reception of the body and viewing will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, beginning at 8:45 AM at Saint William Church, 6200 Rising Sun Avenue, Philadelphia, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM. The Principal Celebrant will be the Most Reverend Edward M. Deliman. Concelebrants will be Reverend Alfonso J. Concha and Reverend Augusto Concha. The Deacon of the Mass will be Deacon Felipe Cruz, and the homilist is Reverend Alfonso J. Concha. Interment will take place at Washington’s Crossing Nation Cemetery, Newtown, Pennsylvania.
