Deacon Ismael P. Tavarez, 87, of Mullica Township, a retired permanent deacon of the Diocese of Camden, died Jan. 13.
Ordained a deacon on Oct. 4, 1980, by Bishop George H. Guilfoyle, he served at Saint Joseph Church, Hammonton (now part of Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish), until retiring from active ministry in March 2014.
Born in Isabela, Puerto Rico, he lived in the Hammonton and Mullica Township area for 68 years. Before retiring, he worked as a sous chef at Caesars Atlantic City.
Deacon Tavarez was also an active member of the Cursillo Movement, the Legion of Mary and the Spanish Apostolic Ministry.
He was remembered as a devoted husband and father who lived his life in service of God, and as a beacon of faith to all.
Deacon Ismael was predeceased by his parents Gregorio and Cornelia Tavarez, and his siblings Norciso Tavarez, Monserate Tavarez and Gloria Tavarez. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Genoveva Tavarez (née Roldan); seven children: Sonia Witherspoon (Stanley), Aide Batten, Ismael Tavarez Jr., Hector Tavarez, Maria Brotherton (Vince), Deacon Gregory Tavarez (Cynthia), Cindy Tavarez (Michael Simpson); daughters-in-law Suzanne Tavarez and Denise Tavarez; brothers Silverio Tavarez (Maria), Gregorio Tavarez Jr. and Jaime Tavarez (Awilda); sisters Lydia Tavarez (Manuel) and Silveria Tavarez; 15 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Jan. 19 at Saint Joseph Church, Mary of Mount Carmel Parish. Burial followed at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hammonton.
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