Obituary of Father Edward Balestrieri

Father Francis Edward Balestrieri, 81, died Monday September 10 in Herrin, Illinois. Born in Bristol, Pa he entered the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and attended St. John deMatha High and Preparatory School in Hyattsville, Maryland. He completed his studies for the priesthood at Holy Name College, Trinitarian House of Studies and Catholic University, Washington, D.C. After ordination, Father Balestrieri served in parish and youth ministries in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He was associate pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Asbury, N.J. before joining the Diocese of Belleville in Illinois where he was named pastor of St. Joseph Church in Marion, IL. He also served at several other parishes in the Dioceses of Belleville. Son of the late Natale and Filomena Balestrieri; brother of the late James Balestrieri; brother-in-law of the late Sam Migliori and uncle of the late Marie Elena Scopellite; he is survived by his two sisters, Jennie Maruca and her husband Joseph R. of Ewing and Ninfa (Eva) Migliori of Philadelphia and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nehews. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday October 13, 2012 at 11 Am at St. James R. C. Church, 29 East Paul Ave., Trenton. Private burial will be in St. Mark’s Cemetery, Bristol, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to St. James R. C. Church, Trenton or to the charity of the donors choice.