Obituary of Reverend Joseph Vincent Rossitto

Reverend Joseph Vincent Rossitto January 25, 1943 - September 15, 2004 Reverend Joseph Vincent Rossitto, a Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport, died on September 15 at Saint Francis Hospital in New York. He was 61 years old. Father Rossitto was born on January 25, 1943, in Bronx, NY, son of Charles and Antoinette (Miceli) Rossitto. He attended Saint Helena High School in the Bronx, before enrolling in Wadhams Hall Minor Seminary in Ogdensburg, NY. He completed his studies for the priesthood at the Seminary of Our Lady of the Angels in Albany, NY, prior to his ordination on May 24, 1969, by Bishop Stanislaus J. Brzana of the Diocese of Ogdensburg. Father Rossitto's first assignment as a priest was at Saint Patrick Parish in Rouses Point, NY. In 1975, he moved to Connecticut and was incardinated as a priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport. Father Rossitto served as a Parochial Vicar at several parishes in Fairfield County, including Saint Joseph Parish in Danbury; Saint Jerome Parish in Norwalk; Sacred Heart Parish in Stamford; and Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish in Brookfield. In 1977, Father Rossitto became Chaplain at Danbury Hospital. In 1983, he became the Campus Minister at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury. In 1988, Father Rossitto retired from active ministry for health reasons. In recent years, he lived at the Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy Retired Priests Residence in Stamford. In addition to his parents of Newport Richie, Florida, he is survived by his brother, Salvatore Rossitto of Newport Richie, Fla; and his sister Carol Rossitto of Whitestone, NY.; his nieces and nephews, Richie Maruffi, Christine, Matthew, and Melissa Rossitto. Funeral Information A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Bishop William E. Lori on Monday, September 20th at 10:00am at Saint Joseph Church, 8 Robinson Avenue, Danbury. Homilist will be Monsignor Anthony Rosaforte. Burial will follow in the Priest Circle of St. Peter Cemetery in Danbury. Friends may call at St. Joseph Church on Sunday, September 19th between the hours of 3:00 and 5:00pm. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of Clergy Retired Priests Residence, 274 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Stamford, CT. 06902.