Father John Louis Lavorgna, 48, of Hamden passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 at Yale New Haven Hospital. Born in New Haven on May 16th, 1974, he was the beloved son of Egidio and Palma Giardini Lavorgna. Father Lavorgna was a graduate of Notre Dame High School, West Haven, where he was Valedictorian, Man of the Year, and also the recipient of the Notre Dame Code Award. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Yale University, New Haven and did his vocational studies at St. Thomas Seminary/Pope Paul VI House, Bloomfield. Father John also went on to receive his Master’s of Divinity from Mount St. Mary Seminary, Maryland.
Father was ordained on May 20th, 2006 by Archbishop Henry J. Mansell at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Hartford. Father Lavorgna’s early assignments included St. John the Evangelist in Watertown, St. Peter, St. Francis, Sacred Heart, and St. Mary in Torrington. Father Lavorgna served subsequently as pastor at Our Lady of Pompeii in East Haven, Secretary to the Archbishop, Vocation Director, and pastor of Mary, Mother of the Church in Waterbury. He ministered most recently at Assumption Parish in Woodbridge followed by St. Bridget of Sweden in Cheshire. He was a member of the Archdiocesan Presbyteral Council and also served as chaplain for several Knights of Columbus Councils. Father Lavorgna was adored by his parishioners and brought joy to so many.
Father Lavorgna devoted his life to God and the people he loved. His priority was cultivating and nourishing the many meaningful relationships in his life, always finding time to “make a visit”. He was constantly in touch with his family, friends and parishioners, whether through phone calls, letters, Hallmark cards or the occasional text message.
Father Lavorgna lived life to the full. He loved to travel, go on cruises, play bocce and bingo, even if he got a little competitive. He fully embraced his Italian heritage and was never shy about sharing it with everyone he met. He had a terrific sense of humor, always ready with a joke or a funny story. We will all miss his laughter.
Besides his parents, he leaves his brother Egidio Lavorgna Jr, sister-in-law Stefanie Lavorgna, nephew Matthew Lavorgna, and nieces Jessica and Jenna Lavorgna. They will always love and remember him dearly.
He is also survived by a large, extended family. His loving uncles and aunts include: Nicola (Concettina) Lavorgna, Grazina Fappiano, Aldo (Concettina) Lavorgna, Concetta (Alberto) Caserta, Antonella (Thomas) Ranalli, Sisto “Nino” Giardini, and Clara (Anthony) Garguilo.
John also had 16 first cousins who will miss him. They include:Maria (Chris) Delucia, Giovanni (Karen) Lavorgna, Giovanni (Daniela) Lavorgna, Giovanni (Rosaria) Lavorgna, Marino (Lella) Lavorgna, Pia (Angelo) Lavorgna, Tony (Janie) Lavorgna, Michelangelo (Angela) Lavorgna, Ivano Lavorgna, Carlo (Maria) Caserta, Tony (Michelle) Caserta, John (Adriana) Caserta, Thomas (Lori) Ranalli, Jason (Sandra) Ranalli, Melissa Ranalli and Taylor Garguilo.
John was predeceased by his grandparents, John and Maria Lavorgna, and Luigi and Clara Giardini, as well as his uncle Antonio Lavorgna.
Father Lavorgna will lie in state on Monday, Feb. 13th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church/St. Paul VI Parish, 2819 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday morning, Feb. 14th at 11:00 with Archbishop Leonard Blair officiating. For those who cannot attend in person, the funeral Mass will be live-streamed at hamdencatholic.org. Entombment will follow in the All Saints Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rev. John L. Lavorgna Memorial Fund c/o All Saints Catholic Academy (423 Ferry Street, New Haven, CT 06513), where Father John was an active board member and an alumni.
May he rest in peace.
Thoughts and prayers to the family of Father Lavorgna at this most difficult time. Please find some comfort in Scripture from the Second Book of Timothy…
“I Have Fought The Good Fight”
“I Have Finished My Course”
“I Have Kept The Faith”
My condolences too the family, the best father aver hade in Torrington,and best friend too my son-in-law, Mark Calabrese,to Tina and thar childreans,My grandchildren, Lorenzo, e Caterina,rest in peace dear father and friend you will be miss,you will be for aver in our hearts father John, pray for us amen
Words cannot express how saddened we are by the loss of Father John Lavorgna. He was greatly loved, respected and admired.
In this sorrowful time, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences.
Such a huge loss. A finer gentleman and priest you could not find. Thank you for all you have done for everyone and for being such a dear friend. Rest in Peace .
To Father John’s family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy on Father’s sudden passing. I had the pleasure of working with father both at SS Peter and Paul Parish in Waterbury and at St. Bridget of Sweden Parish in Cheshire. He was a true people person. Once you had the privileged of getting to know Father, you felt like you’d known him forever. Although he is absent from you now, may the life and the Love that you shared live on in your hearts forever and may he rest in peace.
Sincerely.
John W. Ford, Chairman of the Board
Alderson-Ford Funeral Homes, Inc.
Waterbury-Naugatuck-Cheshire
I only knew Father Lavorgna briefly–when I chatted with him on the phone, when he came to our house to pray for my husband, and when he celebrated my husband’s funeral mass. He was even willing to pause the mass when I became slightly ill. I had been hoping to go and see him once again. He, through that short time we knew him, was jovial, happy, constantly smiling and just a warm, lovely person. My family and I are so so sorry for your loss. He seemed like such a wonderful person.
Rest is Soul and he is in a better place with the GOOD LORD. I follow Fr for different time and at different parishes. He was our Chaplain in Waterbury, at Our Mary Mother Church
Caro Egidio e Palma, sentite condoglianze a voi e famiglia da tutti noi qui.
Un forte abbraccio da parte mia, Anita e da Nunzio e Vera.
Dear Egidio e Palma, so sorry to hear about your great loss, our deepest condolences to you and family.
A great big hug from us and Nunzio and Vera.
Dear Egidio and Palma,
I can not imagine the pain of losing a son and I send you my deepest condolences. John was a man of deep faith coupled with a strong desire to minister to His people. To that end you both played a huge role . You made it easier for John to discern his calling because of your own strong faith and your unending support for his vocation. All who were impacted by John’s ministry owe you both a debt of gratitude for instilling in him such a profound love for our Lord. May God’s Grace bring you peace and comfort as you grieve John’s loss.
With my deepest sympathy,
Diane Wilson
I was shocked to hear of Father Lavorgna’s passing. I had the privilege of seeing him on Sunday and cherishing special memories of the special trip to Rome in 2013. Father touched many people throughout his ministry and will never be forgotten.
I send my deepest sympathy to his parents and family.
Sincere heartfelt prayers that. God bless you with His peace and keep you In His care.
Palma and Egidio,
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your son Father John. The love and joy that Father John brought to us all will never be forgotten.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult times.
Linda Butler (Antoinette Antonucci’s sister)
To Father’s parents and family-please accept my deepest condolences at the loss of your son. He was our pastor at Our Lady of Pompeii and was truly loved and adored. I have many happy memories of him from conducting my daughter’s First Holy Communion Mass to our hilarious annual talent shows where he starred in a rousing rendition of Domenick the Italian Donkey to blessing our Easter foods, where a sample or two left behind was always welcome…I know I speak for many when I say we will all miss him dearly and cherish our wonderful memories.
To the Lavorgna family we send our Condlonces, for our Dear Fr John he will be missed ,God need another Angel ,and he got him , prary for your Mam And Dad & Family ,we will remember all the faimly in our prayer
Fr John Rest in Peace
Santino & Yolanda Perri
Wooster Street Travel
God rest his soul, by all accounts, although I didn’t know him, he was an extraordinary man taken too early from his service to our Lord. My condolences to his family and anyone who knew him, always a great loss when a Priest passes.
A wonderful man and priest. I wish the family peace at this time.
Elaine Herlihy
My husband and I were lucky enough to meet and appreciate Fr. Lavorgna while he was assigned to St. Peter Church in Torrington, CT. He was wonderful, kind and caring. We are so sorry for your loss. Ruth and Joe Cravanzola
It’s been nearly 10 months nephew since you passed and it still feels unfair to lose such an incredible influencential person from this world. You were always there for everyone and saved my life with your prayers as I fought for my life. John you are so missed by me and you’re family and it just doesn’t get easier not having you here. RIP I know you will always be here in spirit. Love you always. I miss you.
Your uncle Tony