Father Thomas Siconolfi, C.Ss.R. - Obituary

Rev. Thomas Joseph Siconolfi, C.Ss.R., a member of the St. Clement Hofbauer community, Ephrata, PA, died on May 12, 2024, age 80. Born in Brooklyn, NY, October 30, 1943, to Anthony and Julia (Gleason), he was baptized and confirmed at the Redemptorist parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. He also attended the OLPH grammar school, eventually matriculating to St. Mary’s Minor Seminary in North East, PA (1957-1962). He attended St. Mary’s College, Ilchester, Maryland, where he professed first vows on August 2, 1964, and then St. Alphonsus College, Suffield, CT where he professed final vows on September 2, 1968, and from which he received his baccalaureate degree. He attended the theologate at Mt. St. Alphonsus, Esopus, NY, receiving the M.Div. degree, and was ordained in its chapel on June 21, 1970.

After ordination, Father Siconolfi served as a missionary to Brazil in the Vice-Province of Campo Grande. He was active in parish ministry and frequently gave parish missions. His assignments there included Aquidauana (1971-1973); Ponta Pora (1973-1975); S. Antonio, Campo Grande (1975-1977); Aquidauana (rector, 1977-1980); and Ponta Pora (1980-1981). During his ministry in Brazil, he was active with youth groups and could be found organizing outings and pilgrimages for them. He sometimes had the opportunity to fly over his parishes and loved to take photographs of them from above.

In the Baltimore Province, Father Siconolfi served as associate pastor at Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Ephrata, PA (1982-July 1987); he was pastor and rector at Our Lady of Fatima, Baltimore (1987-1993); St. Mary’s, Annapolis (1993-1999); and St. Martin of Tours, Bethpage, NY (1999-2005). He served in retreat ministry at Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua, NY (2005-2008), and as director at San Alfonso Retreat House, West End, NJ (2008-2012); declining health brought him back to Ephrata, PA where he lived at St. Clement’s Mission House until the time of his death.

While he was pastor of St. Mary’s in Annapolis, he supervised the construction of the new mission church of St. John Neumann in that city, a sprawling complex that, at the time, gave attention to the growth of Hispanic Catholics in the area but also the need for increased catechetical and athletic facilities.

He was predeceased by his parents as well as his brother and sister-in-law, Anthony and Patricia Siconolfi, and his sister, Marianne Gavin. He is survived by his brother-in-law, Bill and his beloved nieces and nephews. All services will take place Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church, 320 Church Avenue, Ephrata, PA 17522. The schedule is as follows: Wednesday, May 15, Visitation at 6:30 PM followed by Vigil Service at 7:30 PM; Thursday, May 16, Visitation at 10:00 AM followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. The mass will be live streamed live HERE. Just click on "Access Live Stream" after following the link. Burial will follow at St. Clement Mission House Cemetery, Ephrata, PA.