Father Fred Voltaggio, a priest who served the Camden Diocese as a pastor, educator and counselor, died Sept. 14.
He was 68 and retired at the time of his death.
He was pastor at St. Cecilia, Pennsauken (1995-2000); Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Berlin (2000-04); and St. Thomas, Brigantine (2004-10).
Father Voltaggio taught religion at two high schools in the Camden Diocese, Camden Catholic, Cherry Hill, and Sacred Heart, Vineland, in the 1970s.
A certified marriage and family counselor, he worked with Catholic Social Services, Engaged Encounter, and the marriage ministries Retrovaille and Marriage Enrichment. In the 1990s he served as director of the diocese’s counseling services in Camden and Gloucester counties.
Father Voltaggio was a “good priest and well-liked by so many, including the youth,” remembered Msgr. Robert McDermott, who knew Father Voltaggio since the two taught at Camden Catholic together. Now pastor at St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral in Camden, Msgr. McDermott said his friend was “serious about his work, but also loved to have a good time. People enjoyed his company.”
Born in Brooklyn on Jan. 3, 1945, Father Voltaggio studied at St. John’s University, Jamaica, N.Y.; Seton Hall University, South Orange, N.J.; Notre Dame; Immaculate Conception, Darlington, N.J.; and Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y.
He was ordained on May 22, 1971, and his first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Stephen, Pennsauken, where he served until 1973.
He was parochial vicar at St. Thomas (1973); Holy Savior, Westmont (1973-76); St. Mary Magdalen, Millville (1976-77); Immaculate Conception, Bridgeton (1977); St. Isidore, Vineland (1977-78); St. Cecilia (1987-90); St. Joseph. Swedesboro (1990-91); and St. Michael, Gibbstown (1991-95).
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Sept. 18 at Mary Queen of All Saints, St. Cecilia Church, Pennsauken. Burial took place at Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill.