Rev. John J. Stack, S.T.D.

Reverend John J. Stack, S.T.D. age 82 retired , of West Hartford, died on Thursday February 3rd at St. Mary Home West Hartford. Father Stack was born March 6, 1928 in Waterbury, the son of the late Nicholas and Margaret McMahon Stack. He was a graduate of Crosby High School, Waterbury and had attended St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield . He had completed his studies at St. Bernard's Seminary, Rochester, NY, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 14, 1953 by the late Archbishop Henry J. O'Brien. Fr. Stacks' first assignment was with St. Mary Church, Newington, where he had served as assistant pastor for two years, later being assigned to Mount St. Joseph Academy in West Hartford where he served as an instructor in Religion. In 1955, Fr. Stack was assigned to graduate studies at St. Thomas University Angelicum in Rome, Italy. Upon his return, Fr. Stack was appointed as chaplain and instructor in Religious Studies at St. Joseph College, West Hartford. He would remain a member of its' faculty until his retirement in 2002, and during his long tenure there served as: Professor, Chair of the Department of Religious Studies, Academic Advisor, and Director of the Graduate Institute of Contemporary Christian Thought. Upon his retirement, Fr. Stack was nominated and named Professor Emeritus, and received a Doctor of Humane Letters from St. Joseph College. During the first session of the Second Vatican Council, Fr. Stack served as an advisor to Archbishop Henry J. O'Brien, and also served during the fourth session, where he was named a "peritus" of the Council. Fr. Stack also served as vice-chairman of the Archdiocesan Commission for Ecumenical Affairs, and was a member of the editorial board of the Catholic Transcript. His pastoral service included 20 years as a weekend assistant at St. Timothy Parish, West Hartford, and weekend assistant at Sacred Heart Parish, Bloomfield. "I really enjoy weekend pastoral work" Fr. Stack once said. "I feel a part of parish life; it gives me contact with some wonderful people, and I love the opportunity to preach". Fr. Stack is survived by his brother, T. Francis Stack and his wife Carolyn of Suffield, his sister, Helen M. Donahue of Southington, his sister in law Ann M. Stack of Southington, 17 nieces and nephews, and many grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his brother Nicholas S. Stack, his sister Marguerite M. Mastropietro, brother's in law Robert J. Mastropietro and Robert G. Donahue, and nephew Gregory M. Stack. A Mass of Christian Burial with Archbishop Henry J. Mansell as Principal Celebrant will be celebrated at 10:30am on Monday February 7th in the Church of Saint Timothy, 1116 North Main Street, West Hartford. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waterbury. Calling hours will take place at the Church of Saint Timothy on Sunday February 6th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. At Fr. Stacks' request, memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Joseph College 1678 Asylum Avenue , West Hartford, CT 06117

Rev. John J. Stack, S.T.D.

March 6, 1928 - February 3, 2011