OBITUARY

Father Joseph D. Santos

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PROVIDENCE — Rev. Joseph D. Santos, 62, a priest of the Archdiocese of Braga (Portugal) and longtime Administrator of Holy Name Parish, Providence, died Saturday, December 4, 2021.
Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, son of the late Joseph and Jessie (McNally) Santos, he attended St. Elizabeth School, Bristol and Our Lady of Providence High School Seminary.
In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at the Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception and Universidade Catolica Portuguesa in Braga, Portugal. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Braga on August 27, 1989 by Archbishop D. Eurico Dias Nogueira.
In his archdiocese, Father Santos served as pastor of S. Paio, Pousada (1989-99); Sta. Maria, Moure (1989-99); and Sta. Eulalia, Crespos (1991-99). Father also served as Librarian at the Archbishop’s House (1989-91) and Assistant Archdiocesan Archivist (1989-91). From 1999 to 2002, Father Santos was a student-in-residence at St. Mary and St. Michael Parish, in the Diocese of Westminster, England.
Father came to the Diocese of Providence in 2002, and was priest-in-residence at St. Elizabeth Parish, Bristol, until 2004. In 2004, Father Santos was appointed Administrator of Holy Name Parish, Providence, and served in that role until his death.
A Solemn Latin Mass of Requiem according to the 1962 Missal was offered for the repose of Father’s soul on Saturday, December 11, at Holy Name Church. Father Thomas Kocik, a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, was celebrant. Auxiliary Bishop Robert C. Evans, along with priests and deacons, attended in choir. Father Lazarus Onuh preached the homily. Burial followed in St. Mary Cemetery, Bristol.
In lieu of flowers, it was Father Santos’ wish that donations in his memory may be made to the Altar Restoration Fund for Holy Name Church, 99 Camp Street, Providence, RI 02906.