Reverend Salvatore Joseph Pronesti

Reverend Salvatore Joseph Pronesti, former pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Bridgeport, PA passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at the Villa St. Joseph of Darby in Darby, PA. He was 84.

Salvatore Joseph Pronesti was born at home on November 28, 1940. His father was Salvatore Maria Pronesti from San Pietra a Maida Italy. His mother was Frances (Bavusa) Pronesti from Cianciana, província di Agrigento Sicily. He was the brother of Rosalina C. Pronesti and Elizabeth F. Pronesti.

He attended Baldwin Elementary School but was transferred to St. Monica Parish School after his baptism at age seven. He attended Southeast Catholic High School and St. John Neumann High School and LaSalle College graduating with a degree in Classical Studies and Philosophy. He entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in 1962 and was ordained a priest for service to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1967. His first assignment was King of Peace Parish in South Philadelphia. After one year he was assigned to teach at Cardinal O’Hara High School where he taught English, Italian, Latin, Reading and Religion. He received his Masters in Education from Temple University in 1972. In 1978, he was assigned as School Minister at Bishop Conwell High School in Levittown. His residence was St. Andrew’s Parish in Newtown, Bucks County. He was transferred to Archbishop Ryan and lived at St. Ephram, St. Katherine of Sienna and Our Lady of Consolation. His last school assignment was Archbishop Prendergast High School with residence at St. Kevin Parish in Springfield. After a brief assignment at St. Eleanor in Collegeville, he was named Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Bridgeport, PA for 20 years until the Archdiocese closed the parish. Upon retirement, he lived in Margate, NJ, where he was a weekend assistant at Holy Trinity Parish.

The great loves of his life were travel, opera, art, music, especially piano, and his Italian greyhounds. He was a fearless cook, being willing to tackle anything in the kitchen. He also enjoyed needlework and gardening.

He was blessed with a strong constitution but not without physical challenges. He often spoke of the miracles he received in surviving prostate cancer and lung cancer and the healing of a torn MCL and torn bicep.

Father Sal enjoyed his 26 years working with young people in the high schools. He was most pleased to serve the people of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish, especially the Grande Festa Italiana. He took the obligation to preach the gospel most seriously and was often complimented for the sermons he preached.

Even in his retirement, Father Sal continued sharing many special events in the lives of the families of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Father Pronesti is survived by his loving family including his sister, Elizabeth Pronesti; nephews and niece: Frank Pronesti (Fran), Lisa Morrison (George), and Greg Pronesti (Denise); great nephews and nieces; and many other loving family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his sister, Rosalina C. Pronesti.

Funeral arrangements for Father Pronesti are as follows; The Reception of the Body will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM, at Holy Saviour Roman Catholic Church, 407 E. Main St., Norristown, PA followed by a viewing from 9:30 AM to 10:50 AM with his Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Entombment in Calvary Cemetey, Cherry Hill, NJ will be private for the family.

Father Pronesti's Funeral Mass will be livestreamed beginning at 11:00am. To view, go to his tribute wall on www.bacchifh.com and click on Live Webcast, then "Watch Now." This will direct you to Bacchi's Facebook page, which is where the livestream can be viewed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Father Pronesti’s memory to the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming Monastery, P.O. Box 2747, Cody, WY 82414

Arrangements are by The Bacchi Funeal Home & Crematory, Ltd., Bridgeport, PA

Condolences to his family at www.bacchifh.com