Father Paul P. Onufer, who served as pastor of three parishes before his retirement in 2003, died Dec. 5 at his home in Cape May Court House. He was 75.
Father Onufer was born in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from St. Vincent\’s Seminary and Villanova University, Villanova. He was ordained a priest on May 23, 1959, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden by Bishop Justin J. McCarthy.
\”He was a Scripture scholar, very professional and an excellent teacher,\” said Frank Blee, director of Evangelization for the Diocese of Camden, who worked with Father Onufer at the Biblical Institute. \”The students really loved him and learned a lot from him. He was always a positive person, very outgoing, and he lifted the spirits of everybody around him. He was a true gentleman.\”
Father Onufer served as pastor at St. Jude Parish, Blackwood, 1975-84; St. Joseph, Swedesboro, 1984-92; and St. Mary, East Vineland, 1992-2003.
He was parochial vicar at St. Paul, Stone Harbor, 1959; Blessed Sacrament, Margate, 1971; and Christ the King, Haddonfield, 1971-73. He also worked for a time in education, serving on the faculty of Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill, in 1962, and Holy Spirit High School, Absecon, in 1963.
Father Onufer served as chaplain at Our Lady\’s Residence, Pleasantville in 1967. He was a member of the Priest Personnel Board, Committee for Continuing Education and Spiritual Development, the Common Policy Committee for Pastoral Marriage Prepation and the Presbyteral Council.
\”He was a devoted priest, a great teacher and a wonderful human being,\” said Carla Giovinazzi, bookkeeper at Queen of Angels Parish, Landisville. Giovinazzi got to know Father Onufer at a Bible study class. \”His love of God was so evident. He loved teaching the Scripture, and he was a friend to anyone.\”
Father Onufer was one of 10 children, and is survived by two sisters, Kathryn Colombo of Toms River and Polly and her husband Bill Nome of Lakewood, Wash. He is also survived by nieces Kathleen and husband John Vermitsky, Peggy and husband Ed Novak, Barbara Piontek and Joanne Hagstom, as well as nephews Paul and wife Maryanne Krug Jr., Matthew Krug, Stephen and Joan Piotek, James Swan and Joseph and wife Andrea Onufer. He is also survived by 17 great and great-great nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Galante was held at Saint Padre Pio Parish at Our Lady of Pompeii Church, Vineland on Monday, Dec. 10, followed by burial at St. Mary\’s Cemetery in Vineland.
Donations may be made to St Vincent de Paul Society of St Jude\’s Church, 400 South Blackwood Pike, Blackwood, NJ 08012, or St. Padre Pio Parish, 4680 Dante Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08361-6810.
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