Reverend John Thomas Piccione
February 28, 2009 - In Loving Memory of Reverend John Thomas Piccione. "I never met Father John but I feel like I've known him all my life."
Father John Piccione, Reverend O.F.M. was Pastor by day at Saint Bonaventure’s Church in Paterson, New Jersey. He also was a dedicated Chaplin with two local Fire Departments. He was a very well known and respected priest who wore both a Franciscan robe and fire turnouts. Father John Piccione was always first due with not only one, but two New Jersey Fire Departments within the range of his parish. When a working fire took place he would pull on another robe of Reflective Strips and Nomex, and arrive at the scene and take his place as Fire Chaplin any time of the day or night.
Sadly, he passed away on the morning of Sunday February 22, 2009 at the young age of 44 after a long battling health issues. He will always be remembered for his dedicated service and true friendship of the firefighters he served so dearly, both paid and volunteer, we have truly lost one of the best.
He faithfully served both the City of Paterson Fire Department and West Paterson Volunteer Fire Department. At countless alarms he would arrive on the scene not to far behind the first due apparatus, you could see his concern as he watched the firefighters go to work; he would exchange warm greetings and silent prayers with the men and women as they went about their task at hand. Father John’s presence at any scene provided compassion to both the residents, firefighters and victims of the fire. Weather and time were never a factor when a fire came in; he would pull on his fire gear and white helmet and always a ray of hope as he took his place near the command post. With a nod or a wave, he would carefully watch over those who were fighting the fire. Many firefighters, during a momentary break, would always stop by to greet him in return. We were always thankful for the job he performed for us. It was a great comfort to know he was watching over us.
Father John was Parochial Vicar of Saint Bonaventure Church in Paterson from 1999 to 2005; he then took the Director role for the Office of Development of Holy Name Province, Director of Saint Anthony’s Guild and Guardian of Sacred Heart Friary in East Rutherford, New Jersey. He was a proud and devoted Chaplin to the West Paterson and Paterson Fire Departments. He also served the NJFMBA, Honor Legion Police Departments of New Jersey, and the Passaic County Prosecutors Office.
When Father John entered the ministry in Paterson, New Jersey he became close friends with the late Father Mychal Judge, OFM, and a Friar who served as New York City Fire Department Chaplin. Friar Mychal said to him “If you ever had the opportunity to minister to firefighters, he should take on the responsibility.” John took Mychal’s advice and was soon appointed Chaplin of the Paterson Fire Department; shortly thereafter the Volunteer firefighters in nearby West Paterson requested him as their Chaplin. Soon Father John was not only showing up at the scenes of fires in both towns, he could also be seen performing God’s work for the members of both departments, such things as weddings, christenings and even funerals were some of the things he became involved with, and took care of with his own personal, open, caring touch. I felt this first hand when he performed a wonderful ceremony for my Father when he passed away in 2005.
But it was September of 2001 when Father John was called upon to preside over the funeral of his friend, FDNY Chaplin Mychal Judge, who was lost at the scene that tragic morning in New York. This is a prayer written by Mychal that he carried with him the day he lost his life at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 watching over his me, affectionately known to firemen as Mychal’s Prayer:
Lord, take me where you want me to go;
Let me meet who you want me to meet;
Tell me what you want me to say
And keep me out of your way.
You never got in our way Father John, you always led us, and for that we will always remember you. May you rest in Peace and continue to watch over us.
Story written by Todd Hollritt
*** Todd, thank you very much for allowing me to put this on my website. ***
Read MoreFather John Piccione, Reverend O.F.M. was Pastor by day at Saint Bonaventure’s Church in Paterson, New Jersey. He also was a dedicated Chaplin with two local Fire Departments. He was a very well known and respected priest who wore both a Franciscan robe and fire turnouts. Father John Piccione was always first due with not only one, but two New Jersey Fire Departments within the range of his parish. When a working fire took place he would pull on another robe of Reflective Strips and Nomex, and arrive at the scene and take his place as Fire Chaplin any time of the day or night.
Sadly, he passed away on the morning of Sunday February 22, 2009 at the young age of 44 after a long battling health issues. He will always be remembered for his dedicated service and true friendship of the firefighters he served so dearly, both paid and volunteer, we have truly lost one of the best.
He faithfully served both the City of Paterson Fire Department and West Paterson Volunteer Fire Department. At countless alarms he would arrive on the scene not to far behind the first due apparatus, you could see his concern as he watched the firefighters go to work; he would exchange warm greetings and silent prayers with the men and women as they went about their task at hand. Father John’s presence at any scene provided compassion to both the residents, firefighters and victims of the fire. Weather and time were never a factor when a fire came in; he would pull on his fire gear and white helmet and always a ray of hope as he took his place near the command post. With a nod or a wave, he would carefully watch over those who were fighting the fire. Many firefighters, during a momentary break, would always stop by to greet him in return. We were always thankful for the job he performed for us. It was a great comfort to know he was watching over us.
Father John was Parochial Vicar of Saint Bonaventure Church in Paterson from 1999 to 2005; he then took the Director role for the Office of Development of Holy Name Province, Director of Saint Anthony’s Guild and Guardian of Sacred Heart Friary in East Rutherford, New Jersey. He was a proud and devoted Chaplin to the West Paterson and Paterson Fire Departments. He also served the NJFMBA, Honor Legion Police Departments of New Jersey, and the Passaic County Prosecutors Office.
When Father John entered the ministry in Paterson, New Jersey he became close friends with the late Father Mychal Judge, OFM, and a Friar who served as New York City Fire Department Chaplin. Friar Mychal said to him “If you ever had the opportunity to minister to firefighters, he should take on the responsibility.” John took Mychal’s advice and was soon appointed Chaplin of the Paterson Fire Department; shortly thereafter the Volunteer firefighters in nearby West Paterson requested him as their Chaplin. Soon Father John was not only showing up at the scenes of fires in both towns, he could also be seen performing God’s work for the members of both departments, such things as weddings, christenings and even funerals were some of the things he became involved with, and took care of with his own personal, open, caring touch. I felt this first hand when he performed a wonderful ceremony for my Father when he passed away in 2005.
But it was September of 2001 when Father John was called upon to preside over the funeral of his friend, FDNY Chaplin Mychal Judge, who was lost at the scene that tragic morning in New York. This is a prayer written by Mychal that he carried with him the day he lost his life at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 watching over his me, affectionately known to firemen as Mychal’s Prayer:
Lord, take me where you want me to go;
Let me meet who you want me to meet;
Tell me what you want me to say
And keep me out of your way.
You never got in our way Father John, you always led us, and for that we will always remember you. May you rest in Peace and continue to watch over us.
Story written by Todd Hollritt
*** Todd, thank you very much for allowing me to put this on my website. ***
