Obituary of Fr. Joseph N. Sestito

Father Joseph N. Sestito passed away peacefully on March 13, 2024, at the age of 91. He was born on October 20, 1932, to Joseph and Marianne (Amato) Sestito in Rome, New York. His parents predeceased him, along with brothers-in-law John Stoehr and Edwin Booton, as well as his niece, Celine Kelly McIndoe.

He is survived by his sisters, Marietta Jean Booton Stoehr and Doreen (Brian) Kelly. His nieces and nephews also survive him: Debra Booton McCoy (Robert McCoy), Edwin Randolph (Sandra) Booton, Ivy (Kevin) McDonough, Bethany (Larry) Robinson, Brian (Deborah) Kelly, Kristin Kelly (Karl Hahn), and Brendan (Rebecca) Kelly as well as many great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and cousins.

After graduating from Rome Free Academy in Rome, New York, he attended St. Andrew’s Seminary and St. Bernard's Seminary, both in Rochester, New York. He then went to the Diocese of Ogdensburg, studying at Wadhams Hall from 1954 - 1955 before going on to St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, for his theological studies. In 1959, he earned his degree in Theological Studies from St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland. On May 16, 1959, he was ordained into the priesthood at St. Mary's Cathedral in Ogdensburg, New York.

Father Joe began his long and distinguished career as a parochial vicar at St. Patrick's and St. Anthony's Parishes in Watertown, New York, and provided religious instruction at Immaculate Heart Academy during his time there. He later served as parochial vicar at Church of the Sacred Heart in Massena, New York, St. Augustine’s Church in Peru, New York and St. Agnes Church in Lake Placid, New York.

In 1967, Father Sestito joined the United States Navy and proudly served his country from 1967 to 1991 as a chaplain. He was a US Navy Vietnam Veteran who served at numerous naval stations, including New River, North Carolina; Marble Mountain Air Facility, Danang, Republic of Vietnam (with the Marine Aircraft Group 16/1st Marine Aircraft Wing); Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Washington; on the USS Bainbridge, Gulf of Tonkin; Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut; Naval Air Facility Adak, Alaska; Navy Chaplains School, Rhode Island; Great Lakes Training Center, Illinois; and Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Maryland.

For his commendable service, he was awarded the Bronze Star on June 12, 1970. In 1973, Father Sestito, then a lieutenant commander stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin, became the first Navy chaplain to conduct Divine Services aboard all four of the nuclear-powered surface ships in the US fleet at the time. Captain Joseph Sestito officially retired from the Navy on November 1, 1991, at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Patuxent River, Maryland.

After retiring from the Navy, Joseph returned to the north country and served briefly as Temporary Administrator for St. Anthony's Church in Watertown and then St. Martin's Church in Port Leyden, New York.

Upon his official retirement, he moved to Manlius, New York, and assisted at St. Ann’s Church in Manlius. After living in Manlius for about 15 years, he returned home to Rome, New York, to be closer to his two sisters. During this period of his life, he assisted at St. John the Baptist Church, Rome, New York, St. Paul’s Church, Rome, New York, and St. Joseph’s Church, Lee Center, New York.

Father Joe was a man of many talents. As a young high schooler, he enjoyed working at the radio station WKAL in Rome. During his Navy years, he took classes and enjoyed oil painting. In retirement, he became a prolific woodworker, and he loved to invent his own cooking concoctions. He had quite a sense of humor, and he was always ready with a joke. More than anything, Joseph enjoyed spending time with his family, all of whom will miss him dearly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 22, 2024, at 11:00 am at St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E. Dominick Street, Rome, New York. Bishop Terry R. LaValley, bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, will be the principal celebrant, and Father Sean O’Brien, of the Diocese of Syracuse, will deliver the homily.

Reception of the Body will be on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 4:00 pm at the church. Calling hours will follow until 6:00 pm, when calling hours will conclude with the Liturgy of the Hours. Additional calling hours will be held prior to the Mass on Friday morning from 10:00 am to 10:45 am. Burial will follow in Saint John the Baptist Cemetery in Rome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Catholic Relief Services at https://www.crs.org/ways-to-give, by phone at 877-435-7277, or by mail (check or money order) at Catholic Relief Services, PO Box 5200, Harlan, IA 51593-0700.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, Rome, New York.

To send condolences, please visit www.BarryFuneralHome.com.