A Mass of Christian Burial for Father Joseph Pasciuto was to be celebrated April 15 at St. James Cathedral-Basilica, Downtown Brooklyn.

He died in his sleep April 10 at the age of 70 from complications of pancreatic cancer. He had been on sick leave from the diocese since 2007 and living in a private house on Staten Island.

Born in Brooklyn, he attended Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn Heights; PS 163, Bath Beach; Xaverian H.S., Bay Ridge; St. John’s University, Jamaica; and Our Lady of Angels Seminary, Albany. He was ordained June 1, 1991 by Bishop Thomas V. Daily at St. James Cathedral-Basilica. He would have celebrated his 25th year as a priest this June.

Before studying for the priesthood, he worked as a child protective care worker and as a trade union leader. From 1984 to 1987, he served with the City of New York Personnel Department, Department of Social Services, Child Welfare.

He ministered as an associate at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Williamsburg, 1991-92; Our Lady Help of Christians, Midwood, 1992-99; Our Lady of Hope, Middle Village, 1999-2000; and St. Brendan’s, Midwood, 2000-07.

During his sick leave, he was assisting at several parishes on Staten Island.

He was a member of the Xaverian Brothers’ Concordia Society, Indian Society/Iota Sigma Fraternity, and the Knights of Columbus.

Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto was the main celebrant of the funeral Mass. Among the concelebrants were Father James E. Devlin, and Father William McLaughlin, who also preached the homily.

“He was very much concerned about his parishioners,” explained Father McLaughlin about Father Pasciuto.

“Being a social worker for 17 years before entering the seminary, justice and human rights mattered a lot to him. He always cared about the social welfare of his people.”

Father Pasciuto is survived by two brothers, Richard and Robert. Burial was in the chapel crypt in Resurrection Cemetery, S.I.