BRIDGEPORT—Deacon Michael Saranich, Jr. passed away on Monday, October 2, 2023. He was 83 years of age.
“Deacon Saranich was a man of great faith who served his Church and his country. His life and ministry were guided by his love for the Eucharist along with his love for his family and parish community. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Deacon Saranich and for the consolation of his family,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano in making the announcement.
Michael Saranich Jr. was born on July 13, 1940, in Bridgeport to Michael and Loretta Saranich. He was baptized on August 4, 1940, at Saint Michael the Archangel Church and received the Sacrament of Confirmation on May 29, 1949. He attended Saint Anthony Grammar School in Fairfield and Roger Ludlow High School where he graduated in 1958.
Following High School, Michael enlisted into the US Air Force with assignments as an Interceptor Technician and Radar Operator for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). He spent four years on duty at radar sites on the northern border of the United States.
Michael returned home to Connecticut in 1962 and attended college at the Bridgeport Engineering Institute where he earned a degree in engineering. That same year he met his wife, Arlene, and they were married on May 22, 1965, at Saint Charles Church, Bridgeport. They moved to Stratford, raised three children, and were parishioners at Holy Name of Jesus Parish.
In 1998, Michael was accepted to the Diaconate Formation Program. He was ordained to the diaconate on June 22, 2002, by Most Reverend William E. Lori at Saint Augustine Cathedral. His parish assignment was Holy Name of Jesus in Stratford. In addition, following his ordination, Deacon Michael entered Sacred Heart University in pursuit of a master’s degree. In May 2005, he received an MA in Religious Studies. His master’s Thesis was titled “The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.”
Deacon Michael retired from the diaconate on his 75th birthday, July 13, 2015.
The wake will be at Adzima Funeral Home, 50 Paradise Green Place, Stratford, on Thursday, October 12, from 4 to 7 pm. The funeral will be at Our Lady of Grace Church, 497 Second Hill Lane, Stratford on Friday, October 13, at 10:30 am. Monsignor Martin Ryan will be the celebrant. Deacons will gather at Our Lady of Grace at 10 am, to pray Office of the Dead. Vesting is Alb and diocesan stole. Committal will be at State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown, CT 06457 at 1 pm.
