Obituaries

Deacon Joseph Campisi

Deacon Campisi

A Mass of Christian Burial for Deacon Joseph Campisi, 86, was celebrated Oct. 27 at Our Lady of Grace Church, Howard Beach. He died Oct. 23 at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Queens.

Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez was the main celebrant of the funeral Mass. Special concelebrants included Msgr. John Tosi, and Fathers Marc Swartvagher, Francis Colamaria and John Maduri. Father Richard J. Ahlemeyer preached the homily.

A plumber by trade, Deacon Campisi was ordained to the diaconate on March 31, 1984.

“He was very involved in Marriage Encounter, both before and after the diaconate,” said Father Ahlemeyer.

“He also was very involved with Scouting and outreach with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, as well as baptismal instructions.

“Every summer he would take up a collection for Appalachia and then he and a group of volunteers would go down there and help rebuild houses.”

He is survived by his wife, Gloria of Howard Beach, and their sons, Vincent and Joseph. Burial was in St. John’s Cemetery, Middle Village.