I am sorry to inform you of the death of the Reverend William F. Sangiovanni yesterday, February 4, 2019. He was 77 years of age.
William Francis Sangiovanni was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 24, 1941, son of Francis and Margaret (Muldoon) Sangiovanni. He was baptized on April 6, 1941, at Saint Bernadette Church in Brooklyn.
He attended Saint Gregory Elementary School and Saint Jerome Elementary School, Brooklyn, La Salle Academy, New York, and graduated from Fairfield University in 1962. He received a Bachelor of Social Science in 1962 from Fairfield University.
Father Sangiovanni received his priestly formation at the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels in Albany, New York, (1965-1969). After completing his theological studies, he took a leave of absence and served as special assistant to the Minority Leader of the Connecticut General Assembly and as assistant to Congressman Steward McKinney. He also worked with Glenmary Home Missions. After returning to the Diocese, he was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Bridgeport by the Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis in Saint Patrick Church on March 19, 1977.
He first served as Parochial Vicar of Saint Patrick Parish (1977-1981). In June 1980, he was named a part-time member of the faculty of Notre Dame High School, while continuing to serve at Saint Patrick. In July 1981, he was appointed Spiritual Director of Notre Dame while residing at Holy Rosary Parish in Bridgeport. In January 1986, he was named Director of Sacred Heart University Chaplains and took up residency at Saint Theresa Parish in Trumbull. In August 1990, he became a full-time member of the faculty of Notre Dame High School. At Notre Dame High School, he was appointed Assistant Principal in July 1992, Principal in July 1994 and President in July 2010.
Throughout his years of priestly ministry in the Diocese, Father Sangiovanni also served on the Presbyteral Council and as Chaplain of the Columbiettes of Park City Council #16 Knights of Columbus. He also was appointed to the Ethics Commission of the State of Connecticut and served as Chaplain to the Bridgeport Correctional Center.
Father Sangiovanni retired on June 30, 2017, holding the title of President Emeritus of Notre Dame High School.
Father Sangiovanni’s body will be received in the Gymnasium of Notre Dame High School on Friday, February 8th at 3:00 pm and will lie in repose until 7:00 pm. A Vigil Mass will be celebrated at 7:00 pm in the Gymnasium. Father Peter Cipriani will be the celebrant, and Father Michael Dunn will be the homilist. I will celebrate the Funeral Mass on Saturday, February 9th at 11:00 am at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Fairfield, and Father Peter Cipriani will be the homilist. Priests who will be concelebrating at the Funeral Mass should bring diocesan vestments.
Condolences can be sent c/o Notre Dame High School, 220 Jefferson Street, Fairfield, CT, 06825. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Sangiovanni and for the consolation of his family.
Fraternally in Christ,
Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano
Bishop of Bridgeport
