Reposed in the Lord, May 19, 2016
Father Robert J. Skurla, a retired priest of the Eparchy of Passaic, NJ, fell asleep in the Lord on Thursday, May 19, 2016, at Queen of Peace Residence (Little Sisters of the Poor) in Queens Village, NY.
Born in Hamilton, NJ, Father Skurla was ordained on May 20, 1956, and was to celebrate his 60th anniversary of priestly ordination this year. He served as pastor at parishes in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Jersey, including Saint Mary Church in Hillsborough, NJ, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Toms River, NJ, and was a Chaplain of The Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal. His last assignment was as pastor of Saint Mary Church in Jersey City, NJ, where he served for eighteen years until his retirement.
Son of the late Andrew and Anna Skurla and brother of the late Joseph and Edward Skurla, he is survived by brother Andrew G. Skurla and beloved sister and traveling companion, Florence Ann Donahoe. Father Robert is also survived by loving nieces, Marjorie Callahan and Sandra Skurla Mastoris, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.
Calling hours will be held on Monday, from 5 to 8 p.m. at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church 411 Adeline St., Trenton, NJ. Funeral Service for a Priest were held at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church 411 Adeline St., Trenton, NJ, celebrated by the Rt. Rev. James G. Hayer, Protosyncelius of the Eparchy of Passaic. The Funeral Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Most Rev. Kurt R. Burnette, Bishop of the Eparchy of Passaic, and Father Gregory J. Noga, pastor of St. Mary Byzantine Church on Tuesday morning, May 24, at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in Trenton, NJ. Interment followed at St. Mary Byzantine Cemetery No. 2 in Trenton.
Blessed repose and eternal memory!
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