Father Ronald Salvatore Falotico died Dec. 3 at the age of 72. A priest who mastered several languages and worked with Hispanics for years, he was well known for his good humor and enthusiasm.
Born in Camden on Aug. 16, 1943 to Antonio and Ida Mae Falotico, he was a graduate of the city’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, and Camden Catholic High School.
Father Falotico studied for the priesthood at Mount Saint Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Md., and was ordained on May 31, 1969 by Bishop George Guilfoyle. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, where he served from 1970-74.
Other parochial vicar appointments included Saint Anthony of Padua, Camden (1978-83); Saint Joseph, Hammonton (2006-10); and Saint Mary of Mount Carmel, Hammonton, (2010-12).
He was pastor at three parishes: Holy Spirit, Atlantic City (1985-96); St. Peter, Pleasantville (1996-2004); and Queen of Angels, Landisville (2004-05). He retired Dec. 1, 2012.
For over 40 of his 46 years as a priest, Father Falotico served Hispanic Catholics in South Jersey. He was assigned to the Bridgeton-Millville Spanish Apostolate from 1974-78; served as assistant director of the Vineland Catholic Spanish Center from 1983-85; and worked in Hispanic Ministry at St. Nicholas, Egg Harbor City from 2006-10.
Father Frederick Link was in the same ordination class as Father Falotico, and the two spent their first assignments together as priests in Vineland, Father Falotico at Saint Francis of Assisi and Father Link at Sacred Heart Parish. He recalled a “unique and exceptional” priest who “had a zest for ministry; he gave of himself unselfishly, to everyone he met, and was always willing to serve.”
The “bright” priest also mastered several languages in addition to English, including Spanish and Italian, and could hold conversations in German and Thai, Father Link added.
He is pre-deceased by his parents, and sister-in-law Karen Falotico. He is survived by his brother Peter Falotico; nieces Gabrielle and Danielle (Amir) Seliman; and great-nieces and great-nephews Travis, Sofia, Gianna and Nicholas.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 7 at Saint Joseph Church in Hammonton. Interment followed at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Vineland.
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