Priest Mourned as Man Who ‘Cared Deeply for His Parishioners’ 

Father John S. Wtulich, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, was born on Aug. 19, 1946, in New York, was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1972, and died Friday, March 22, 2024. 

Father Wtulich served the Diocese of Brooklyn as administrator of the Parish of St. Virgilius (Broad Channel), and pastor of the Parish of St. Catharine of Alexandria (Brooklyn). 

He also served as parochial vicar of the parishes of St. Francis de Sales (Belle Harbor), Our Lady of the Snows (Floral Park), St. Rosalia- Basilica of Regina Pacis (Brooklyn), Our Lady of Angels (Brooklyn), St. Robert Bellarmine (Bayside), Good Shepherd (Brooklyn), and Sacred Heart (Brooklyn). 

In his final days, Father Wtulich was in residence at Bishop Mugavero Residence (Douglaston), and St. Camillus-St. Virgilius (Rockaway Beach). 

“We were ordained together as priests on May 27, 1972, so I’ve known him for so long,” said Father Bill With, a retired pastor of Resurrection Church. 

“He was a very generous, very giving person, who cared very deeply for his people. When St. Virgilius School was in danger of closing, he campaigned very hard to keep it open. That’s the kind of priest he was.” 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, March 27, at Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston. 

The celebrant will be Bishop Robert Brennan, the homilist will be Deacon Armand D’Accordo of St. Francis de Sales Parish. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Woodside.