Father David Stopyra OFM, Conv.'s Obituary
Fr. David Stopyra, OFM Conv., was born in Lawrence, MA, on April 3, 1934, and passed away on July 1, 2018. He was the son of the late Peter and Agnes (née Sierzega) Stopyra. In addition to his Franciscan family he leaves his sisters Helen Previte and Mary Pitochelli and many nieces and nephews. Fr. David was predeceased by siblings Rev. Fr. Alfred Stopyra, OFM Conv., Frank, Katherine Dziadosz, Stanley, Victoria, Charles, Walter, Anthony, and Theresa Champagne. He was a graduate of Holy Trinity Grammar School and Central Catholic High School, Lawrence, MA and St. Bonaventure University, NY.
Fr. David entered the Francis Friar Conventual Novitiate entered Mt. St. Lawrence Novitiate in Becket, MA on August 14, 1951. He professed his Temporary Vows on August 15, 1952 and he professed his Solemn Vows on August 15, 1955. He was ordained to the priesthood at St. Michael Cathedral, Springfield, MA on May 28, 1960.
His first assignment was for one year as Assistant Pastor and teacher at St. Francis Parish and St. Francis High School, Athol Springs, NY. In 1961 he was asked to be both a teacher and a counselor at Archbishop Curley High School, a post he held for the next ten years. From 1971 to 1976 he served as Principal at Archbishop Curley High School. In the years from there, 1976-1979, Fr. David served as Guardian and Director of Formation at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary in Granby, MA.
Returning to the pastoral apostolate, Fr. David became the Pastor of St. Stanislaus Parish in Trenton, NJ from 1979-1982. He served as Pastor to St. Hyacinth Parish, Auburn, NY from 1982-1991, and then as Pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Athol Spring, NY from 1991 to 1997. Fr. David’s last Pastorate was at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Taunton, MA where he served from 1997 until 2013. He then was assigned to St. Hyacinth Friary in Chicopee, MA in 2013 until Sister Death called him home on July 1, 2018.
Fr. David will lie in state at St. Stanislaus Basilica on July 5 from 3 to 7 PM with a Franciscan Wake Service at 7 PM. On July 6, 2018, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Stanislaus Basilica, 566 Front St., Chicopee, MA 01013 at 11 A.M. Friends and family may visit on Thursday, July 12,2018 from from 9 AM to 11:00AM at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home Inc. 35 Merrimack Street North Andover MA. There will be a Memorial Mass at St. Michael Parish, North Andover, MA on July 12, 2018 at 11:30AM. Burial will be private. Memorial Donations may be made to the Franciscan Education Burse, 12300 Folly Quarter Rd., Ellicott City, MD 21042.
Funeral arrangements are by Kozikowski Funeral Home, Chicopee, MA and by The John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, 35 Merrimack St. North Andover, MA. For more information or to send an online condolence please visit our website at: www.breenfuneralhome.com
What’s your fondest memory of David?
What’s a lesson you learned from David?
Share a story where David's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with David you’ll never forget.
How did David make you smile?