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(E) In Memoriam Msgr. John Antoncic
http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6519/1/E-In-Memoriam-Msgr-John-Antoncic.html
By Nenad N. Bach
Published on 05/9/2003
 

 

Monsignior John J. Antoncic

Below is an obtiuary of Monsignior John J. Antoncic. Though born in New
York, his family hailed from Omisalj on Krk Island. Msgr. Antoncic was
based at St. Mel's Parish, the parish next to mine, and he washighly
regarded in the community of northeast Queens.

John Kraljic


Msgr. Antoncic Praised As a Leader of Priests

Msgr. John J. Antoncic, pastor of St. Mel's parish, Flushing, and a
leader in the Presbyteral Council and the former Priests' Senate, died
suddenly May 1 of cardiac arrest at Booth Memorial Hospital, Flushing.
He was 61 years old.

Born in Manhattan, he attended St. Bartholomew's School, Elmhurst; Power
Memorial H.S., Manhattan; Cathedral College, Brooklyn, and Immaculate
Conception Seminary, Huntington. He was ordained at St. James
Pro-Cathedral June 1, 1968. It was the only class ordained by Auxiliary
Bishop John J. Boardman.

He served as an assistant at St. Charles Borromeo, Brooklyn Heights,
1968-77 and was part of a team ministry at St. Augustine, Park Slope,
1977-83. He also served at St. Ephrem, Dyker Heights, 1983-85.

He was pastor at three parishes: St. Vincent de Paul, Williamsburg,
1985-89; Holy Child Jesus, Richmond Hill, 1989-2000, and St. Mel's since
June, 2000.

Among the many diocesan agencies with which he was associated were the
Priests' Senate, the Presbyteral Council, the Pastoral Council, Parish
Renewal Committee, board of directors of Mercy Home, Northside Senior
Citizens' Center and the Richmond Hill Development Assn.

Msgr. Antoncic was held in high respect by his brother priests, having
been elected president of the Priests' Senate from 1979 to 1985. He was
the current executive secretary of the Presbyteral Council, a post he
held since 1985.

For many years, he represented the diocesan priests at the national
meetings of the National Federation of Priests Council.

Bishop Thomas V. Daily was the main concelebrant. He was joined on the
altar by Auxiliary Bishops Joseph M. Sullivan, Rene A. Valero and
Ignatius A. Catanello and Bishop Paul Bootkoski of Metuchen, N.J.

Special concelebrants included Msgrs. Otto L. Garcia, Andrew Vaccari,
Martin P. Bannan, Peter Kane and Fathers Sean Ogle, the episcopal vicar;
Thomas Doyle, William Dulaney, William Krlis, Marcello Latona, Kevin
McBrien, Gregory Wielunski, and James Tugwood.

In his homily, Father Lewis Maynard spoke about his friendship with
Msgr. Antoncic that went back to their seminary days when they were in
the same support group.

"That support continued as priests as we continued to do that all
through our priesthood."

Father Maynard said that "It meant so much to him - this priesthood that
we live and share together. How many of us were helped, comforted and
confronted by John to carry our crosses.

"He knew the importance of regular spiritual direction."

Pointing out that Msgr Antoncic was "a good friend to so many of us,"
Father Maynard recalled numerous phone calls from him when he would say,
"Lew, let's get the guys together for a day of prayer at Precious Blood
Monastery. Then afterwards, we all would have dinner together."

"John had this joy, that deep down joy.... He prayed a lot... He read a
lot... He was solid, yet gentle and understanding.

"He loved being with his fellow priests and he loved being with his lay
friends, both male and female.

"John worked hard in this diocese on many different and difficult
committees," explained Father Maynard.

Bishop's Tribute

Bishop Daily said that Msgr. Antoncic "certainly made a great impact on
all of us. He was a source of comfort and help to me, personally. He was
a great gift to the Church of Brooklyn and Queens.

"He wasn't a showy man, He was a pious man in the real sense of being
pious. He had a deep spiritual personality."

Survivors

Msgr. Antoncic is survived by his mother, Mary Mahoney of Sag Harbor,
L.I.; his sister, Ann Schramek of Gilford, N.H., and brother, Thomas of
Farmington Hills, Mich.

Burial was in St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, L.I.


(E) In Memoriam Msgr. John Antoncic

 

Monsignior John J. Antoncic

Below is an obtiuary of Monsignior John J. Antoncic. Though born in New
York, his family hailed from Omisalj on Krk Island. Msgr. Antoncic was
based at St. Mel's Parish, the parish next to mine, and he washighly
regarded in the community of northeast Queens.

John Kraljic


Msgr. Antoncic Praised As a Leader of Priests

Msgr. John J. Antoncic, pastor of St. Mel's parish, Flushing, and a
leader in the Presbyteral Council and the former Priests' Senate, died
suddenly May 1 of cardiac arrest at Booth Memorial Hospital, Flushing.
He was 61 years old.

Born in Manhattan, he attended St. Bartholomew's School, Elmhurst; Power
Memorial H.S., Manhattan; Cathedral College, Brooklyn, and Immaculate
Conception Seminary, Huntington. He was ordained at St. James
Pro-Cathedral June 1, 1968. It was the only class ordained by Auxiliary
Bishop John J. Boardman.

He served as an assistant at St. Charles Borromeo, Brooklyn Heights,
1968-77 and was part of a team ministry at St. Augustine, Park Slope,
1977-83. He also served at St. Ephrem, Dyker Heights, 1983-85.

He was pastor at three parishes: St. Vincent de Paul, Williamsburg,
1985-89; Holy Child Jesus, Richmond Hill, 1989-2000, and St. Mel's since
June, 2000.

Among the many diocesan agencies with which he was associated were the
Priests' Senate, the Presbyteral Council, the Pastoral Council, Parish
Renewal Committee, board of directors of Mercy Home, Northside Senior
Citizens' Center and the Richmond Hill Development Assn.

Msgr. Antoncic was held in high respect by his brother priests, having
been elected president of the Priests' Senate from 1979 to 1985. He was
the current executive secretary of the Presbyteral Council, a post he
held since 1985.

For many years, he represented the diocesan priests at the national
meetings of the National Federation of Priests Council.

Bishop Thomas V. Daily was the main concelebrant. He was joined on the
altar by Auxiliary Bishops Joseph M. Sullivan, Rene A. Valero and
Ignatius A. Catanello and Bishop Paul Bootkoski of Metuchen, N.J.

Special concelebrants included Msgrs. Otto L. Garcia, Andrew Vaccari,
Martin P. Bannan, Peter Kane and Fathers Sean Ogle, the episcopal vicar;
Thomas Doyle, William Dulaney, William Krlis, Marcello Latona, Kevin
McBrien, Gregory Wielunski, and James Tugwood.

In his homily, Father Lewis Maynard spoke about his friendship with
Msgr. Antoncic that went back to their seminary days when they were in
the same support group.

"That support continued as priests as we continued to do that all
through our priesthood."

Father Maynard said that "It meant so much to him - this priesthood that
we live and share together. How many of us were helped, comforted and
confronted by John to carry our crosses.

"He knew the importance of regular spiritual direction."

Pointing out that Msgr Antoncic was "a good friend to so many of us,"
Father Maynard recalled numerous phone calls from him when he would say,
"Lew, let's get the guys together for a day of prayer at Precious Blood
Monastery. Then afterwards, we all would have dinner together."

"John had this joy, that deep down joy.... He prayed a lot... He read a
lot... He was solid, yet gentle and understanding.

"He loved being with his fellow priests and he loved being with his lay
friends, both male and female.

"John worked hard in this diocese on many different and difficult
committees," explained Father Maynard.

Bishop's Tribute

Bishop Daily said that Msgr. Antoncic "certainly made a great impact on
all of us. He was a source of comfort and help to me, personally. He was
a great gift to the Church of Brooklyn and Queens.

"He wasn't a showy man, He was a pious man in the real sense of being
pious. He had a deep spiritual personality."

Survivors

Msgr. Antoncic is survived by his mother, Mary Mahoney of Sag Harbor,
L.I.; his sister, Ann Schramek of Gilford, N.H., and brother, Thomas of
Farmington Hills, Mich.

Burial was in St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, L.I.