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OBITUARY – REVEREND JOSEPH CONSTANTINE RUSIN

Reverend Joseph C. Rusin, Pastor Emeritus of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Mayfield died on Wednesday, July 15, 2015.

Father Rusin, son of the late Jacob and JoAnna Harenza Rusin, was born in White’s Crossing on March 23, 1922.  He received his early education at Robert Morris School, Carbondale and graduated from Fell Township High School, Simpson.  Father graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s College, Emmitsburg, MD in 1943 with an A.B. He completed his studies for the priesthood at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg and was ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 1946, in Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton, by the Most Reverend William J. Hafey, D.D., late Bishop of Scranton.

Father Rusin was assigned as assistant pastor at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Tunkhannock; Saint Stanislaus, Nanticoke; Saint John the Baptist, Larksville; Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Plymouth and Saint Mary’s Wilkes-Barre.  He served as administrator of Holy Family, Sugar Notch until his appointment as pastor on January 28, 1970.  He was then appointed pastor of Sacred Heart in Mayfield on August 29, 1978 where he remained until his retirement and appointment as Pastor Emeritus on July 1, 1997, while serving there he oversaw the remodeling of the Church, rectory and parish hall.  After his retirement he assisted with Masses at Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Dickson City

Father also served the Diocesan Radio Bureau in the 1950’s.  He was procurator of Bishop Hoban High School and provided Church services and education to the students affected by the Agnes flood.  Father Rusin authored a book of poetry on the “Immigrants of Whites” about the people of White’s Crossing, PA; he also authored several other books.

He is survived by a brother, Frank, Carbondale and nieces and nephews including Damian and Lynne Rusin who were his caretakers.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, James, John, Edward and Benjamin and four sisters, Anna Rusin, Antoinette Milesko, Mary Unis and Amelia Libby.

Viewing will take place at St. Michael’s Church, 46 Midland Street, Simpson, PA on Friday, July 17, 2015, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  A Vesper Service will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m.

A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, on Saturday, July 18, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Michael’s Church, 46 Midland Street, Simpson.  Viewing will also take place Saturday morning, prior to the 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass.  Interment will be in Saint Michael’s Cemetery, Simpson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Hospice, 301 Delaware Ave, Olypant, PA 18447.