Published: May 13, 2008 06:38 pm      

Father Vincent James Spinos, TOR

SPINOS – Father Vincent James, TOR, 83, died May 12, 2008, at Altoona Regional Health Center, Altoona Campus. He was born Sept. 27, 1924, in Windber, son of Joseph and Lena (Magazzu) Spinos. He entered the Franciscans of the Third Order Regular on Sept. 14, 1942. Father Vincent professed his vows of poverty, chastity and obedience on Feb. 22, 1944. He continued his studies for the priesthood at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., from where he received his BA in philosophy and his Licentiate in Sacred Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Oct. 4, 1950. Father Vincent was named the assistant pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Altoona, where he ministered from 1951 to 1965 and then at St. Patrick Church in Inver Groove Heights, Minn., until 1967. In 1968, he was an instructor at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, Minn. He was appointed as Novice Master at St. Bernardine Monastery in Hollidaysburg, from 1968 to 1971. From 1971 to 1974, he was the assistant pastor at St. Patrick Church in Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and was named pastor in 1974. In 1981, he was named pastor of St. Joseph Church in Delano, Minn., until 1989. For a short period of time he was the pastor of the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in the former Barnesboro. Father was named parochial vicar at St. Bridget Church in Minneapolis, Minn. In 1990, he retired at St. Bridget Friary, where he remained until 2007. In June 2007, Father retired at the St. Therese Nursing Home and then at St. Bernardine Monastery until the time of his death. Father was predeceased by his parents and his sisters, Anna and Sundie Spinos and Cecilia Grasso, and his brother, Joseph. He is survived by his Franciscan Community and by his brother, Anthony, and his wife, Dolores, Windber; several nieces, Chris Spinos and Patty, and husband, Bob Snyder; and nephews, Jim Spinos and Sam, and wife, Carmen Grasso; a grandniece, Sarah Snyder; and grandnephews, Anthony and Michael Spinos and Marcus Snyder. Viewing for Father Vincent will take place at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Windber, from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday. The vigil for the deceased will be at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial at the community cemetery at St. Bernardine at Kladder Station in Hollidaysburg. Arrangements by Santella Funeral Home, Altoona.