Obituary of Msgr. George Valastro

The Reverend Monsignor George Valastro Middletown, New York The Rev. Monsignor George Valastro died on Friday February 24, 2012 in Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown. He was 84. The son of the late Paul and Concetta Califano Valastro, he was born on February 11, 1928 in New Rochelle, New York. He was a veteran of the United States Navy having served from 1946-1947. Monsignor Valastro served the parishes of St. Joseph in Croton Falls; St. Mary's in Saugerties and Our Lady of Refuge in the Bronx. He served on the faculty of Cardinal Hayes High School and Cardinal Spellman High School. He served as Spiritual Director and Rector of Cathedral College Preparatory Seminary. He served as principal of Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie. He served as pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Newburgh form 1981-1994. He was appointed Pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Middletown on July 1, 1994 and was appointed Episcopal Co-Vicar of Orange County on October 1, 1994. Survivors include his nieces Sheila Valastro and Patricia DeSimone of Brewster, N.Y. and Mary Elizabeth Gaudio and her husband David of New Rochelle, N.Y. His nephew John Valastro of Mamaroneck, N.Y. His grand nephews Alex, Gregory, John and Jason and his grand nieces Christine and her husband Scott and Caitlyn. He was predeceased by his brothers Philip and John. The Rev. Dennis Nikolic pastor of St. Joseph Church will receive Monsignor Valastro into the St. Joseph Church on Tuesday at 3:oo P.M. Visitation hours will be held on Tuesday February 28 and Wednesday February 29 from 3-7 P.M. at St. Joseph's Church 149 Cottage St. Middletown, N.Y. A Mass of the Eucharist will be celebrated on Wednesday February 29 at 7:30 P.M. with Bishop Dominick Lagonegro officiating. The Rev. Jack M. Arlotta will be the Homilist. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday March 1, 2012 at 11 A.M. in St. Joseph Church with His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan Archbishop of New York officiating. The Rev. Monsignor Thomas P. Leonard will be the Homilist. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in New Rochelle, N.Y. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church 149 Cottage St. Middletown, N.Y. 10940. Arrangements by Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. Middletown, N.Y. 343-6023.