Obituary for Monsignor John R. Sasway
87 of Lilly, passed away on March 1, 2023 at John Paul II Manor, Cresson. He was born on August 18, 1935, in Patton. He is preceded in death by his parents, John B. and Anna (Tinick) Sasway. He is survived by his sister Dorothy Shea, Northern Cambria; niece Patricia (Shea) Limbacher, Pittsburgh; nephew Edward Shea, Northern Cambria; Richard Shea and wife Cynthia, Lilly; great-nephews Michael Limbacher, Pittsburgh and Matthew Limbacher, Pittsburgh.
Monsignor Sasway was a graduate of Barnesboro High School in 1954 and attended St Vincent Minor Seminary and College in Latrobe from 1954-1958 and St. Vincent Major Seminary from 1958-1962. He was ordained a Priest on May 19, 1962. From 1962-1963 he was assigned as Associate pastor of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Church, Altoona. From 1963 – 1967 he was Associate pastor of St. Aloysius Church, Cresson and in 1967 – 1981 he served as Associate Pastor, Administrator, and then Pastor of St. Matthew Church, Tyrone. From 1981 – 1995 he served as Pastor of Assumption B.V.M. Church, Portage and Administrator of Mount Carmel Church, Lilly. From 1995 – 2018, Monsignor, served as Pastor of Our Lady of the Alleghenies Church, Lilly. He was an instructor of Religion at Bishop Guilfoyle High School, Altoona and Bishop Carroll High School in Ebensburg. Monsignor also received various appointments throughout the years. He was a member of the Priest’s choir, served as Regional Vocation Director, member of Presbyteral Council and appointed Vicar Forane (Dean) of the Allegheny Deanery in 1989. He was also named Chaplain of his Holiness, Pope John Paul II, with the title of Reverend Monsignor on February 17, 1994.
A Reception of Body will be held on Monday, March 6th, 2023 at 2PM at Our Lady of the Alleghenies Catholic Church in Lilly, Fr. Thomas Stabile, followed by visitation from 2:30 – 7 PM. A Vigil Service will be held that evening at 7PM, Fr. Matthew Reese. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 at 11 AM at Our Lady of the Alleghenies Church in Lilly, The Most Rev. Mark L. Bartchak, JCD, Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown, Celebrant. Fr. Matthew Reese, Fr. John Brynes, Fr. Francis Balestino and Fr. Angelo Patti, will con-celebrate, assisted by Parish Deacon, Samuel Albarano and other visiting clergy. Committal will be held in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Northern Cambria.
Please no flowers to be sent to the church. In lieu of flowers it is suggested that memorial contributions be made in Monsignor Sasway’s name to The St. Vincent De Paul Society, PO Box 231, Altoona, PA 16603 and/or John Paul II Manor, 856 Cambria Street, Cresson, PA 16630. The Sasway Family would like to extend a Special Thank You to Monsignor’s friends and former parishioners, Dorothy and Pat McCool, who helped and assisted him during the past 23 years and to the Family of Paul and Marcelle Cooney for their friendship and many years of generosity.
On-line condolences may be made at www.decortfh.com
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Previous Events
Visitation
Monday
6
Mar
2:30 PM
- 7:00 PM
Our Lady of the Alleghenies Church
608 Main Street
Lilly, PA 15938
Service
Tuesday
7
Mar
11:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
Our Lady of the Alleghenies Church
608 Main Street
Lilly, PA 15938
Cemetery Details
Location
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
NA
NA
Northern Cambria, PA 15714
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