ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Permanent Deacon Alberto Montanez Valezquez, died at Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia, on Saturday, December 15, 2007.

Deacon Velazquez was born on April 8, 1928, in Puerto Rico. He moved to the United States at the age of twenty-two.

Deacon Velazquez was ordained a permanent deacon on October 31, 1981, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, by His Eminence John Cardinal Krol. After serving several years at Saint Veronica Parish, Philadelphia, he returned to Puerto Rico and ministered in the Diocese of Ponce. He was assigned to the Church of San Antonio de Padua in Guayama. His most noteworthy accomplishment was the organization and construction of the "Capilla" San Jose Obrero in Barrio de Brandari in the city of Guayama.

In the absence of Cardinal Rigali, a Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas at Saint Martin of Tours Church, Philadelphia, on Friday, December 21, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend Monsignor Richard T. Powers, Reverend John J. Kelly, Reverend Augustus C. Puleo and Reverend Robert Sinatra, Diocese of Camden. Father Puleo will be the homilist.

Deacon Velazquez is survived by his wife, Francisca, and six children, Concepcion Garcia, Maria Montanez, Candida Montanez, Rosa Negron, Jose Montanez and Benita Diaz. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. Interment will be at New Cathedral Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747