Father Egidio A. Vecchio, M.S., 90, a member of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, died May 25, 2017, at St. Dominic Village Nursing Home in Houston, Texas.
He was born March 13, 1927, in Syracuse, N.Y., son of the late Anthony and Angela (Pugliesi) Vecchio. After attending grammar and junior high school in Gloversville, N.Y., he completed high school at the La Salette Seminary in Hartford, Conn. He entered the La Salette Novitiate on July 1, 1947, in Bloomfield, Conn., and made his first vows on July 2, 1948. He then completed his studies in philosophy and theology at the La Salette Seminary in Ipswich, Mass. Father Vecchio was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1955 at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Norwood, Mass.
After his ordination, he served as assistant shrine director at the former National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Ipswich, Mass. Later he ministered as pastor or associate pastor at parishes in Michigan, Louisiana and Texas. He served with great enthusiasm at the mission churches of Nacogdoches, Texas, especially in Moral, Texas. During Father’s ministry in Louisiana for over 20 years, he was appointed dean of the Sulphur deanery, and then vicar of the West Vicariate by the Most Rev. Jude Speyrer, D.D., when the Diocese of Lake Charles was created in 1980. Father Vecchio was most proud to serve the parishioners in Sulphur, La., while overseeing the construction and dedication of the new Our Lady of Prompt Succor parish church, complex and rectory. This parish is the foundational ministry of the La Salette priests and brothers in the south. He enjoyed his years as pastor in parishes in Vinton, De-Ridder and the Immaculate Conception Church in Sulphur, La. While serving in the Diocese of Beaumont, Texas, Father received the pastor of the year award at the Tyler County Ministerial Alliance 17th annual Community Thanksgiving Service in 2008. In the same year, his parish of Our Lady of the Pines in Woodville, Texas, was the recipient of the Bishop Curtis Guillory Parish award for the greatest strides in stewardship. In 2009, he was presented with the Honorary Outstanding Citizen Award by the Tyler County Chamber of Commerce in East Texas.
Father Vecchio shared his gifts and talents with the La Salette Community in various administrative positions over the years as provincial superior, provincial councilor and provincial treasurer. As pastor he took great pleasure in offering hospitality and hosting dinners for fellow clergy including bishops, religious and laity. In 1999 he entered his final ministry assignment serving the parishioners of Our Lady of the Pines, Woodville, Texas, until his retirement in 2009. He resided at Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Sulphur, La., until he moved to St. Dominic Village in Houston, Texas.
In addition to his La Salette confreres, Father Vecchio, M.S., is survived by his sisters; Angie Parillo of Gloversville, N.Y., Antoinette Sirois of Concord, N.C., and Theresa Mastropaolo of Gloversville, N.Y.
Father was predeceased by his sisters, Amelia Shramm and Mary Kurek, and his brother Santo Vecchio.
He was uncle to many nieces and nephews and will be missed by numerous relatives and loving friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Parish in Sulphur. Burial was in Mimosa Pines Cemetery in Carlyss. Contributions in his memory may be made to: Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette Retirement Fund, 915 Maple Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114-2330. May he rest in peace.
