Obituaries

Obituaries, Week of October 10, 2020

Priest, Professor, Mentor, who “Will Be Lovingly Remembered and Missed” 

Father Joseph Raphaël D. Bruno, an incardinated priest of the Diocese of Fort-Liberté, Haiti, who ministered in the Diocese of Brooklyn, died on Sept. 19 in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. He was 81.

Father Joseph Raphaël D. Bruno

He was born in Terrier Rouge, Haiti, on Dec. 4, 1938. He completed his primary and secondary studies from 1944 to 1959 at the elementary school administered by the Sisters of Oblates of Mary in Terrier Rouge and College Notre Dame in Cap-Haitien.

In 1959, he entered the Major Seminary of Notre Dame in Port-au-Prince.

He was ordained to the Priesthood on May 19, 1966, at the Cathedral Basilica of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, Cap-Haïtien by Bishop Albert François Cousineau, C.S.C.

He celebrated his first Mass in Terrier Rouge, Haiti, on May 22, 1966.

Father Bruno served as a parochial vicar in numerous parishes in the north of Haiti, 1966-73, and as a pastor, 1973-2007. 

He retired to the United States in 2009, where he has served first at St. Therese of Lisieux, East Flatbush, and for the past three years at Sacred Heart, Cambria Heights.

“Father Bruno will be lovingly remembered and missed by all who had knowing him,” the Sacred Heart Parish published on their website.

Funeral Mass was held on Oct. 5 in Haiti. A memorial Mass will be celebrated Oct. 12, at 11:00 AM, at the Co-Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Prospect Heights. 


Mrs. Mary C. Shannon, mother of Father Francis T. Shannon, pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Far Rockway, died on August 17. 

A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Mary Star of the Sea, Far Rockaway, on Aug. 20, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery, Queens. 

If you wish to send condolences, please mail to Reverend Francis T. Shannon, St. Mary Star of the Sea R.C. Church, 1920 New Haven Avenue, Far Rockaway, New York 11691.


Mrs. Elizabeth A. Burns, mother of Father Hugh L. Burns, O.P., a priest of the Dominican Order, who is administrator of St. Teresa of Avila-St. Antony of Padua, South Ozone Park, died on Sept. 17 in Florida.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date. Charitable contributions can be made in her memory to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Mission, 16650 US Hwy 301 S., Wimauma, FL 33598.  

Send condolences to Rev. Hugh L. Burns, O.P., St. Teresa of Avila-St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, 109-26 130th Street, South Ozone Park, NY 11434.