Obituaries

Deacon Peter Venezia

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Deacon Peter Venezia, who served most recently at St. Joseph’s parish in Spring Valley, died Sept. 5 at the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, N.J. He was 74.

Deacon Venezia, who was ordained in 1993, served several parishes in the archdiocese, including St. Boniface, Monsey; St. Joan of Arc, Sloatsburg; and St. Joseph, Spring Valley.

Deacon Venezia, who began serving at St. Joseph in 2015, was admired for his gifts as a homilist. The deacon, a resident of Suffern, also served on the board of directors of Good Counsel Homes and gave his time generously to fundraising and counseling at the homes for more than 20 years.

Deacon Venezia was commissioned as a captain and judge advocate general in the U.S. Air Force base in Minot, N.D. After leaving the Air Force, he practiced law for 20 years in Orange County.

Born in Ridgewood, Queens, he earned a degree in journalism and a Juris Doctor degree, both from Fordham University. He is survived by his wife, Jo-Ann (Valentino) Venezia, and his son, James.

Auxiliary Bishop Gerald Walsh was to offer a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, Spring Valley, Thursday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. Burial will take place at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Nanuet.

Deacon Peter Venezia