News Release
November 20, 2007
REVEREND EUGENE A. WASSEL
1924 - 2007
Reverend Eugene A. Wassel, Pastor Emeritus, Saint Casimir Parish, Philadelphia, died of natural causes at Saint Francis Country House, Darby, on Wednesday, November 14, 2007.
Father Wassel was born on January 13, 1924, in New Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late Anthony J. Wassel and the late Anna Kerewicz. Father Wassel attended Sacred Heart Parochial School, New Philadelphia; Blythe Township High School, New Philadelphia; Saint Stephen High School, Port Carbon, Pennsylvania, and Saint Charles College, Catonsville, Maryland, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.
Father Wassel was ordained on May 10, 1952, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, by Most Reverend John F. O'Hara. Father Wassel served as Parochial Vicar at Holy Saviour Parish, Norristown; Saint Mary Magdalen De Pazzi Parish, Philadelphia; Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Tamaqua; Saint George Parish, Shenandoah; Saint Joseph Parish, Mahanoy City; Maternity B.V.M. Parish, Philadelphia; Saint Casimir Parish, Philadelphia; Saint Andrew Parish, Philadelphia; Saint Joan of Arc Parish, Philadelphia; and Saint Augustine Parish, Bridgeport. In 1975, Father Wassel was appointed Pastor, Saint Casimir Parish, Philadelphia, and Pastor Emeritus there in 1996.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Justin Rigali at Saint Francis Country House, Darby, on Tuesday, November 20, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Most Reverend Francis B. Schulte, Archbishop Emeritus, Archdiocese of New Orleans, Most Reverend Louis A. DeSimone, Reverend Peter Burkauskas, and Reverend Monsignor Anthony Wassel, Diocese of Allentown. Bishop DeSimone will be the homilist.
Father Wassel is survived by his sister, Florence Fraser, his brother, Reverend Monsignor Anthony Wassel, Diocese of Allentown, and nieces and nephews. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, New Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
FUNERAL DIRECTOR: Marvil Funeral Home
610-583-2727
Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747