BOARDMAN TWP., Ohio - The man who has been the spiritual leader at Boardman's St. Luke's Parish for nearly 28 years is dead at the age of 74.

Fr. Joseph A. Fata passed away at the church on Monday following a long battle with cancer, according to church officials.

Father Fata was appointed the fourth pastor of the parish in 1988.

During Father Fata's time at St. Luke's, the parish built a new worship center which opened in 1996.

In addition, a bell tower and bells were added to the church in 1999.

Father Fata was born in Youngstown, Ohio on April 21, 1942 to Natale and Carmel [LaCivita] Fata.

He attended Sacred Heart School and like many of his classmates went on to Ursuline High School graduating in 1960.

He began his journey to the priesthood at St. Gregory Seminary in Cincinnati, completing his college studies at Mount St. Mary of the West Seminary, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1964 from the Athenaeum of Ohio.

After four more years of study he was ordained into the priesthood of the Diocese of Youngstown on May 25, 1968 by Bishop James W. Malone.

Following ordination, Father Fata served as associate pastor of St. Aloysius Parish in East Liverpool, Ohio (currently merged into Holy Trinity Parish) from 1968 to 1973.

His second associate pastoral assignment was to Our Lady of Peace Parish in Canton, Ohio (currently merged into Christ the Servant Parish) where he served from 1973 to 1981.

He was assigned his first pastorate at St. Joseph Parish in Mantua, Ohio serving from 1981 to 1988.

Since then he has served as pastor of St. Luke Parish in Boardman, Ohio.

Father Fata served as chair of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and chair and vice president of the Diocesan Board of Religious Education; as secretary of the East Liverpool Ministerial Association, as a member of the ad hoc committee representing associate pastors; and as co-chair of the Community Life Committee on the Diocesan Priests Senate.

He was named to the National Board of Directors of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, serving for 16 years.

He served on the Stark County Regional Board of Education in the early 1980’s. He also served on the Diocesan Central Finance Committee.

Father Fata served one year as president and four years as Clergy Causus with ACTION, the Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods, an ecumenical coalition in Youngstown.

In 2014 Father Fata received the “Frances Kerpsack Award” for his dedication to infusing Gospel values into all aspects of his ministry.

A book of Father Fata's homilies, From Mass to Mission, was recently published. A book of poems may be published posthumously, according to church officials.

Father Fata is survived by his father, Natale, and his mother, Carmel. He will be missed and remembered by his sister, Michelena, and brother, Anthony. His nieces and nephews: Annie [Eric] Dudenhoefer, Nate [Alicia] Fata, Patty Fata, and Tony [Karen] Fata. His great-nieces and nephews: Caitlin, Nicholas, Christopher, Luke, and Mary Noelle Dudenhoefer; Nate Edward, Connor, and Ella Fata; and A.J., Max and Coco Fata. His family is indeed large, including first cousins and extended family in Ohio, Canada, and Savuto, Calabria, Italy.

Donations in honor of Fr. Fata could be made to: St. Luke's Parish, Ursuline Sisters, or Ursuline High School. People are asked to refrain from sending flowers.

Calling hours:

  • Wednesday August 3, 2016 2-6pm St. Luke Church, 5235 South Avenue

Mass of Christian Burial:

  • Wednesday, August 3, 2016 7pm St. Luke Church

Burial:

  • Thursday, August 4, 2016 at 9am, Bear Hollow Cemetery, Lisbon, Ohio