The Reverend Vito Decarolis

Waterbury, CT The Reverend Vito Cosmo DeCarolis, 93, entered eternal rest on Friday, July 8, 2022.

Father DeCarolis was born on May 9, 1929, in Waterbury, CT, a son of the late John and Mariannina (Rizzi) DeCarolis. Father DeCarolis left school at an early age and entered St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, CT. He continued his formation and studies for the priesthood at Saint Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore and the North American College in Rome. He was ordained a Priest of Jesus Christ by the Most Reverend Martin J. O’Connor on December 8, 1954 in Rome, which was the centenary day of the declaration of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Father DeCarolis began his priestly ministry at Saint Joseph Church in New Haven in 1955. Following this assignment he served at various parishes throughout the Archdiocese in the roles of assistant and pastor, including St. Jude in Derby, Our Lady of Lourdes in Waterbury, St. Peter in Torrington, St. Vincent Ferrer in Naugatuck, Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, and St. Mary in Milford.

Father DeCarolis leaves behind many dear and loving friends. In addition to his parents, Father DeCarolis was predeceased by his brother, Reverend Joseph R. DeCarolis. Father Vito’s last words were “Pray for me.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 11:00am at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 1006 New Haven Road, Naugatuck, with the Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair, Archbishop of Hartford, as the principal celebrant. Everyone attending is kindly asked to meet directly at the church at 10:45am. A burial will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol, CT. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck. In lieu of flowers and to honor Father Vito's memory, donations are requested to JTAF, c/o 124 Farrell Road, Waterbury, CT 06706. JTAF is a charity that provides a helping hand to families torn by wars, and Father DeCarolis was proud to serve as an honorable board member.