The wake for Father Mario (Thomas Anthony) Marzocchi, SSS begins at 2 p.m. July 1 at St. Paschal Baylon Church, 5384 Wilson Mills Road, Highland Heights, where Father Marzocchi served as the sixth pastor. Evening prayer will be at 4 p.m. and the vigil for the deceased 7-8:30 p.m., with personal reflections and memories.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. July 2 and it will be livestreamed on Facebook. Visit church.saintpaschal.com for the link. The Mass also will be saved to the parish YouTube page for later viewing.
Masks and social distancing are required in the church and the church capacity is set at 300 people.
Father Marzocchi, 84, died on June 26 after a short battle with cancer.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Father Marzocchi was born to Edward and Rafaella Marzocchi on Oct. 29, 1935. He entered the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and professed his vows on Sept. 8, 1961 in Barre, Massachusetts.
He studied philosophy at Eymard College and earned a Master of Arts degree in religious education from St. Joseph Seminary, Dunwoodie, New York, and a Master of Arts in theological studies from Maryknoll School of Theology.
After serving as a religious brother for many years, he discerned a call to the priesthood and was ordained on June 23, 1984 at St. Jean Baptiste Church in New York City.
Father Marzocchi served in many positions over the years. Although he was a talented artist, he rarely found time to paint as his ministerial commitments grew. He served as director of the Blessed Sacrament Brothers Formation Program, 1968-1971; an emergency room attendant, 1969-1970; with the congregation’s House of Studies, 1973-1974; as a teacher at St. Jean Baptiste High School, New York City, 1974-1984; director of catechetics for the Archdiocese of New York, 1982-1984; parochial vicar at St. Jean Baptiste Church 1984-1987 and 1999-2001; and at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Holiday, Florida, 2004-2008.
Father Marzocchi served as pastor of St. Andrew Church, New York City, 1987-1993; St. Paschal Baylon Church, Highland Heights, 1993-1999; St. Jean Baptiste Church, New York City, 2001-2002; and St. Joseph Church Downtown, San Antonio, Texas, 2008-2019.
During his retirement, Father Marzocchi served in the Diocese of Cleveland, ministering at several parishes and convents.
Father Marzocchi said he was grateful for the love, care and support of the hospital, hospice and other health care workers during his illness. Those who knew him said he will be missed for his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, his strong catechetical mind, his passion for shrine-center ministry, his kindness and his reminder that “God loves you.”
Contributions in memory of Father Marzocchi can be made to the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, 5384 Wilson Mills Road, Highland Heights, Ohio 44143.
Father Marzocchi’s rite of committal will be private.