BRIDGEPORT—Reverend F. William Verrilli passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2020. He was 68 years of age.
“Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Verrilli and for the consolation of his family,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, who praised Father Verrilli for his commitment to lifetime learning and faithful service as an educator and a judge in the Diocesan Tribunal.
Father William Verrilli was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on August 4, 1951. His parents were William R. Verrilli and Florence Caseria Verrilli. He is survived by a sister, Sister Marie Verrilli, SND.
Father Verrilli was educated at Blessed Sacrament School and Madison School in Bridgeport and graduated from Fairfield College Preparatory School in 1969. He continued his education at Fairfield University earning his degree in 1973. Fr. Verrilli studied for the priesthood at Theological College, Catholic University in Washington DC. He was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis at St. Augustine Cathedral, Bridgeport on May 5, 1979.
After his ordination, Father Verrilli first served as Parochial Vicar of St. Andrew Parish in Bridgeport. In 1980, he began his career in our diocesan high schools, teaching at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull for many years, later as Spiritual Director at Trinity Catholic School in Stamford and faculty member of Notre Dame High School in Fairfield.
Father Verrilli was given leave to pursue a licentiate degree in Canon Law at Catholic University of America in Washington DC in 1999. Upon the completion of this degree in 2001, he spent many years as a Judge in the Tribunal of the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Father Verrilli’s body will be received at St. Andrew Church, Bridgeport on Thursday, July 30 at 4 pm and will lie in repose until 7 pm. Bishop Caggiano will celebrate the Funeral Mass on Friday, July 31 at 11 am. Interment will be at St. Michael Cemetery in Stratford.
Condolences can be sent to Father Verrilli’s sister, Sr. Marie Verrilli SND, care of The Catholic Center, 238 Jewett Avenue, Bridgeport CT 06606.
