by Fr. Dennis Donovan, SDB
(Port Chester, N.Y. –
June 19) – With a massive display of love and affection for the 91-year-old
priest who served the parishioners of Port Chester well for over 30 years, more
than 400 people turned out for the funeral of Fr. Peter Granzotto, held at Our
Lady of Mercy Church of St. John Bosco Parish in Port Chester.
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| Fr. Peter in 2009 (Fr. Mike Mendl) |
The respect for Fr. Peter was made even more evident by
those who led the funeral liturgy. Fr. William Ferruzzi, SDB, a novice under Fr.
Peter’s direction (1964-1965), presided at the Mass. Cindy Moore, a dear friend
of Fr. Peter since her childhood, led the music. The homily was given by Fr.
Patrick Angelucci, pastor of St. John Bosco Parish, also one of Fr. Peter’s novices
(1965-1966). A large contingent of Salesian priests, brothers, sisters,
Cooperators, and members of ADMA were present.
In his homily, Fr. Pat repeated a theme for which Fr. Peter
was known: “It is him that I myself will seek; there is no other.” Through vivid
examples and by recalling touching moments in the life of Fr. Peter, he
explained how Fr. Peter had three great loves.
The first was his love for his family. Even his siblings
related that no matter how far away Fr. Peter might live from the rest of the
family, he was the glue that held them together.
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Fr. Peter blessing his parents shortly after his ordination in 1957.
(from Fr. Peter's photos)
|
His second great love was for the Salesian Family. “I want
to be a priest that smiles like Don Bosco,” he told his friends. He was a
Salesian “from the top of his head to the soles of his feet,” said Fr. Pat.
His third great love was for the people he served, seeing
Christ in each one of them. Fr. Pat related how someone had come to Fr. Peter
for counseling after being away from the Church for a long time, and found
great peace and comfort in his words.
There were two things that Fr. Peter desired in life. According
to Fr. Pat, these became obvious whenever Fr. Peter would approach him for his
monthly chat with the director of the community. Fr. Peter desired to have a
great holiness of life and a deep zeal for souls.
During his years as master of novices, Fr. Peter was known
for giving very long conferences. Fr. Pat explained that through these one
could recognize that he was working hard to form men of zeal who had a passion
for the mission. “He wanted us to be men of passion and fire for the Lord.”
He ended the homily by repeating some advice Fr. Peter
recently gave to a young priest in the parish. “Be joyful, zealous, and
enthusiastic for God's people.”
Fr. Peter was born on October 3, 1926, and passed away on
June 14, 2018. He made his first profession of vows in Newton, N.J., on
September 8, 1947. His perpetual profession was made on September 8, 1953. He
received a B.A. in philosophy at Don Bosco College in 1950 and a licentiate in
theology at the Salesian Pontifical University in Turin in 1957. He was
ordained at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin on July 7, 1957.
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