MATUNUCK — Rev. Francis V. DeLellis, 86, pastor emeritus of St. Eugene Church, Chepachet, died on Feb. 17.
Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Frank M. and Winifred (Cassidy) DeLellis. He attended the former Assumption School and LaSalle Academy, both in Providence. In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick Neck and at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland. He was ordained a priest on June 11, 1949 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence by Bishop Russell J. McVinney.
Father DeLellis served as assistant pastor in the following parishes: St. Joseph, Pascoag (1949-50); St. Rita, Warwick (1950-1953); and St. Jude, Lincoln (1953). After spending a year with the Sulpician Fathers, he became assistant pastor at St. Timothy, Warwick (1954-66); St. Matthew, Cranston (1966-69); and St. Mary in Pawtucket (1969-71). In June 1971, he was appointed pastor of St. Eugene Church, Chepachet and remained there until June 1994 when he retired as pastor emeritus.
In addition to his parish duties, Father DeLellis served also as chaplain of the National Federation of Post Office Motor Vehicles Employees, Local No. 52 (1955) and chaplain of St. Rita's Circle, Daughters of Isabella (1962).
After his retirement from parish administration, he became a resident of Matunuck and helped in local parishes in the vicinity.
Father DeLellis is survived by a brother, Benjamin F. DeLellis of Cranston; and a sister, Marjorie L. Daggett of Kittery, Maine.
A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial was offered for the repose of his soul on February 23 at St. Eugene Church, Chepachet, with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin as the main celebrant and Bishops Louis E. Gelineau and Ernest B. Boland, concelebrating. Father Roger Houle, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Scituate was the homilist. Burial was in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.
