REVEREND FRANCIS PIRO

1931 – 2016

Reverend Francis Piro, Retired, Resident, Saint Philip Neri Parish, Philadelphia, died at Shore Memorial Hospital, Somers Point, NJ, on Thursday, July 28, 2016.

Father Piro was born on November 15, 1931, in Acri (Cosenza), Italy. He is the son of the late Vicenzo Piro and the late Rose Marie Giuseppa. Father Piro attended Elementary and Secondary school in Acri (Cosenza) before entering the Pio XI Seminary in Reggio Calabria, Italy.

Father Piro was ordained on July 25, 1954, by Most Reverend Agostino Castrillo in Italy, and was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on November 28, 1967. Father Piro served as Parochial Vicar at Annunciation B.V.M. Parish, Havertown; Saint Donato Parish, Philadelphia; Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish, Philadelphia; Visitation B.V.M. Parish, Philadelphia; King of Peace Parish, Philadelphia; Assumption B.V.M. Parish, Feasterville; and Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Philadelphia. He was a Correspondent for L’Osservatore Romano from August 1967 – 1973 and August 1990 – October 2004.

The Reception of the Body will be held at Saint Philip Neri Church, Philadelphia, on Wednesday, August 3, 2016, at 9:30 AM, followed by a viewing. Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Father Piro at 11:00 AM. Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Sullivan, Reverend James M. Oliver, Reverend Edward P. Kuczynski, and Reverend Wilfred F. Maloney. Father Oliver will be the homilist.

Father Piro is survived by his nieces, Enzo (Anna Rita) Masca and Maria Masca, and his dear friends Joseph and Gilda Rutigliano. Father Piro’s interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon.