Monsignor Francis Pellegrino entered into rest on June 11, 2011. He was a well respected and beloved priest of the Diocese of Salt Lake City and most recently at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish in Carmichael, Calif.
Monsignor Pellegrino was born in Helper in 1927 to John and Josie Pellegrino. He heard the call to the Priesthood at an early age. He attended St. Joseph Minor Seminary in Mountain View, Calif. and St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, Calif. He was ordained on May 13, 1951 for the Diocese of Salt Lake City at the Cathedral of the Madeleine.
He served for 52 years at many parishes throughout Utah, including Notre Dame de Lourdes in Price and as pastor of St. Anthony's in Helper. He was invested as a Prelate of Honor with the title of Monsignor in 2001 and recently celebrated 60 years as a priest. Monsignor was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus and was a great promoter of the Rosary. He was a long time member of the Italian Lodge Stella d'America in Helper.
He enjoyed visiting and sharing stories with family and friends, coloring pictures with his nieces and nephews, and the occasional casino trip. He loved to read and has read a book a month since his ordination. He loved making that unexpected visit to friends and family where he shared a meal. The lunches with his cousins were "tremendous" as well as the nightly social hour.
Father Frank is survived by his sister, Dorothy; sister-in-law, Joan; nephews and nieces, Ann, John, Dominic, Julie, Michael, Eleanor, and Robert; grand-nephews and nieces, Caitlyn, Lauren, Rebecca, Matthew, Jacob, Alex, Mylie, Macey, and Sienna; and caregivers, Mana, Liu, and Kalolaine. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Anthony, brother-in-law, Dominick and niece, Maria Ann.
Viewing and visitation will be 6 to 7 p.m. followed by a vigil service with rosary at 7 p.m, Thursday, June 16 at St. John Evangelist Church, 5751 Locust Ave, Carmichael, Calif. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday June 17 also at St. John the Evangelist Church. Reception immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. John the Evangelist for the New Tabernacle Fund.
