Father Michael G. Cedro

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Father Michael G. Cedro, who was pastor of Holy Cross-Our Lady of the Scapular parish in South Centerville since 2015, died Aug. 16. He was 48.

Father Cedro served at the South Centerville parish as administrator from 2012 until his appointment as pastor in 2015.

He served as parochial vicar of St. Joseph, Somers, 2010-2012; St. Augustine, New City, 2008-2010; and St. Columba, Hopewell Junction, 2004-2008.

A Funeral Mass was offered Aug. 20 at Holy Cross Church under a tent outside to accommodate those attending with social distancing restrictions. Cardinal Dolan was the principal celebrant. Auxiliary Bishop Gerardo J. Colacicco served as the homilist.

A Parish Mass of the Eucharist was offered Aug. 19 at Holy Cross. Bishop Colacicco was the principal celebrant. Father George Hafemann, pastor of St. John the Evangelist parish in Goshen, delivered the homily.

Father Hafemann previously served as pastor at Immaculate Conception-St. Mary parish in Port Jervis. “At the time he went to Holy Cross in 2012, I was the pastor in Port Jervis, which is the neighboring parish to the west,” Father Hafemann told CNY.

Father Cedro was the quintessential priest. He genuinely liked people, and enjoyed getting to know them and becoming immersed in the lives.”

At Holy Cross, Father Cedro “built on the good work done by his predecessor, and worked tirelessly to beautify and improve the church,” Father Hafemann said.

“He was also one of the volunteer chaplains at Burke Catholic High School in Goshen…Michael was a good and devout man who suffered physically, but I never heard a complaint from him.”

Father Cedro was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Edward Egan in 2004.

Born in Brooklyn, he attended St. Peter’s High School on Staten Island, Wagner College on Staten Island and St. John’s University.

He entered St. John Neumann Seminary Residence in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and completed his studies for the priesthood at St. Joseph Seminary in Dunwoodie, where he earned a master’s degree in divinity and a master’s in sacred theology with an emphasis in dogma.

Survivors include his parents, Michael and Carolyn Cedro, his sister Jennifer, and two nephews.

Burial was at Resurrection Cemetery on Staten Island.

Father Michael G. Cedro