Rev. Msgr. Ernest Esposito

The Rev. Msgr. Ernest Esposito, age 83, of Fairfield, entered into eternal rest Tuesday, January 15, 2019 following a brief illness. Born in Mount Vernon, NY the son of the late Francesco and Maria Antonia Esposito. Upon graduating from Edison Vocational and Technical High School in 1953, he served in the United States Army in New Jersey, Kentucky and Japan (1954-1956). He began his priestly formation with the Franciscan Friars at Saint Joseph's Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, New York (1956-1960) and Saint Francis College in Rye Beach, New Hampshire (1960-1962), and he went on to study Theology at Holy Name College in Washington, D.C. (1962-1963) and Our Lady of Loretto Seminary in Loretto, Pennsylvania (1964-1967). He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Bridgeport on May 20, 1967 by the Most Rev. Walter W. Curtis. In 1988 he received a Doctorate of Ministry from Notre Dame University. He served as Parochial Vicar of Holy Rosary Parish in Bridgeport (1967-1969), Saint Mary Parish in Bridgeport (1969), Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Bridgeport (1969-1970), Saint Raphael Parish in Bridgeport (1970-1976) and Saint Pius X Parish in Fairfield (1976-1985). He was Pastor of Saint Peter Parish in Bridgeport (1985-1991) and reappointed as Pastor of the newly-united parishes of Saint Peter and Saint Anthony Parishes (1991). He served as Parochial Vicar (1991-1994; 1996-1997) and Administrator of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Fairfield (1994), and lived in residence there (1994-1996). He was named Administrator of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Stratford (1996). He served as diocesan Director of Family Life/Respect Life (1991-2006), as Episcopal Vicar for Religious (2001-2010) and as Chaplain of Saint Joseph Manor in Trumbull (2007-2010). During his longer service in the Diocese, Monsignor Esposito was also a member of the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors. Monsignor Esposito, who retired in 2010, was named Chaplain to His Holiness, with the title of Monsignor, by Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI on November 22, 2007. An avid sports enthusiast, Msgr. Ernie loved talking sports with anyone. He was a Detroit Lions and St. Louis Cardinals fan and was especially fond of his memories of meeting and talking baseball with the late Stan Musial. Conversations about sports inevitably lead to more profound conversations about God, with Msgr. Ernie reflecting that "we can spend hours thinking about sports, so why can't we spend hours thinking about God?" Msgr. Esposito loved the opportunity to celebrate the sacraments with his family, and presided at many Baptisms, First Communions, and weddings for his nieces and nephews. His friendly and outgoing personality will be truly missed. Survivors include his twin brother, Joseph Esposito, Sr. of Carmel NY, sisters Elena Cugno of Florida, and Luisa Romanowski of New York, eleven nieces and nephews: Debra, Jodi, Joseph, Anthony, Michael, Louis, Gail, Cheryl, Albert, Mary Lou and Elisa. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his sisters Rosie Zucarelli and Christine Ginese, his sister-in-law Carol Esposito, and his brother-in-law Anthony Ginese. Msgr. Esposito will be received on Friday, January 18, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Pius X Church, 834 Brookside Drive, Fairfield where he will lie in repose until 7:00 p.m. when a Vigil Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. Msgr. Thomas Powers, Vicar General of the Diocese of Bridgeport. The Homilist will be the Rev. Robert Crofut. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by the Most Rev. Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport will be held at St. Pius X Church on Saturday, January 19th at 11:00 a.m. The Homilist will be the Rev. Msgr. James Cuneo. Interment will follow in the priest circle at St. Michael Cemetery in Stratford. In lieu of flowers memorial contribution may be made to the Pontifical Mission Society, c/o the Catholic Center, 238 Jewett Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06606.