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Reverend Joseph A. Graziani
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TORRINGTON - The Reverend Joseph A. Graziani, Pastor Emeritus of St. Peter Parish, Torrington, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, May 3, 2009, at the age of 88, at Litchfield Woods. Born on December 28, 1920, he was the son of the late Fausto and Annunziata Graziani formerly of 23 Casson Ave., Torrington.
Father Joe, as he was lovingly known by his family, friends, and parishioners, graduated in 1937 from Torrington High School and from there he entered St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield. He completed his theological studies at St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, in 1945. He was ordained by the late Most Reverend Henry J. O’Brien on December 22, 1945, at The Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford.
Father Graziani served as Assistant Pastor at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Waterbury, St. Patrick Parish in New Haven, St. Mary Parish in Derby, and St. Luke Parish in Hartford. He also served as Pastor of St. Augustine Parish in South Glastonbury. He then returned to his native Torrington when he was assigned to St. Peter Parish in 1970 and then named Pastor in 1971. He served as pastor for 18 years retiring in August of 1989. In retirement he continued to serve St. Peter Parish celebrating Mass each weekend and visiting his beloved school children on Wednesday mornings. He celebrated or co-celebrated countless funerals of not only his former parishioners, but also those of friends and relatives from his old neighborhood.
He is survived by his loving nieces and nephews: Vincent DiBerardino of Torrington, Raymond Graziani of Tolland, Gary Graziani of Pembroke Pines, Florida, Mary Ann Ring of Torrington, Bernadette Johnson of Sebring, Florida, Joann Taylor of Torrington, Gloria Fabiaschi of New Hartford, Ann Marie Eschbach of Portland, Maine, Joseph Graziani of Pembroke Pines, Florida, Rosemary Holland of Harker Heights, Texas, and several great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings: Anthony H. Graziani, Catherine DiBerardino, Viola Ficca, and Amerigo Graziani.
His body will be received with the Rite of Reception at 3 p.m. at St. Peter Church where he will lie in state from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. In accordance with Father Graziani’s wishes, the rosary will be prayed at 5 p.m. At 7 p.m. a Parish Mass will be celebrated. On Thursday, May 7, 2009, The Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop of Hartford, will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. His family will receive parishioners and friends during his lying in state on Wednesday and prior to the funeral Mass on Thursday morning. Burial will be in St. Francis New Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Peter Church c/o the Pastoral Center, 160 Main St., Torrington, CT. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the LaPorta-Cook Funeral Home. For online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.laportacookfuneralhome.com
