Monsignor Vincent A. Tatarczuk

RAYMOND — Monsignor Vincent A. Tatarczuk, 88, of Raymond, died in Sarasota, Fla. Friday, Dec. 27, 2013.

He was born in Portland on April 12, 1925, a son of William J. and Stasia Nalbach Tatarczuk. He was a graduate of Cheverus Classical High School and the College of the Holy Cross. He continued his studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, where he received his Licentiate in Sacred Theology. On June 11, 1949 he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Daniel J. Feeney at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland.

His first assignment was as a curate at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception parish for two years. In 1951, he was assigned by Bishop Feeney to undertake advanced studies in Canon Law at the Catholic University of America in Wash., D.C. In 1954, he received his doctorate (J.D.C.) in Canon Law. He returned to the diocese where he became Vice-Chancellor and Secretary to the Bishop. In 1963, he was elevated to Papal Chamberlain. He then was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese of Portland in 1964, Vicar for Religious in 1966 and in 1967 he was promoted to Domestic Prelate and was named Vicar General in 1970. In 1971 he was appointed Administrator of St. John the Evangelist Parish in South Portland. In 1975, he was named Vicar for Temporalities. He also served as Diocesan Consulter for many years.

He was appointed Pastor of Holy Martyr’s Parish in Falmouth in 1979, serving until his retirement in 1996. In addition to his pastoral duties, he served as Defender of the Bond in the Diocesan Tribunal, a member of the Priests’ Senate and the Council of Priests, a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, and trustee of the Clergy Benefit Plan. In 1981, he was appointed to the Accounting Practices Committee of the United States Catholic Conference in Wash., D.C.

He served as president of the Board of Directors of Mercy Hospital, Portland, and president of the Board of Directors of St. Joseph’s College, Standish. He was a member of the Board of Directors of United Way of Portland, a trustee of the Curtis Foundation of Portland, a member of the Board of Directors of Southern Maine Comprehensive Health Association of Portland, and a member of the Board of Directors of St. Andre’s Home, Biddeford. Under his guidance the diocese built Deering Pavilion in Portland, Seton Village in Waterville, and St. Joseph’s Manor in Portland. He was one of the driving forces in establishing the Diocesan Bureau of Human Relations Services, now Catholic Charities of Maine.

For many years, he was the editor of the diocesan paper, The Church World, for which he wrote a weekly column.

Monsignor Tatarczuk was predeceased by his parents; a sister Antoinette Tatarczuk; and three nephews.

He leaves a sister, Bernadette Murphy of Portland; a brother, Joseph Tatarczuk of Poestenkill, N.Y.; a niece and nephews.

A Reception of the Body and Liturgy of the Hours was held Monday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday at the Cathedral. Bishop Joseph Gerry, O.S.B., Bishop Emeritus, was the principal celebrant. Burial followed in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.

Arrangements are under the care of Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at: www.ctcrawford.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Catholic Charities of Maine, 358 US Route One, Falmouth, ME 04105 or St. Andre’s Home, Inc., 283 Elm Street, Biddeford, ME 04005.