Msgr. Francis A. Menna, 84; was pastor

Msgr. Francis A. Menna, 84, a retired pastor, regional vicar, and rector for Villa St. Joseph, the home for retired priests in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, of cardiac arrest at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.

Born in Philadelphia, Msgr. Menna attended La Salle College High School and La Salle College before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

He was ordained May 16, 1964, by Cardinal John J. Krol at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. He was remembered as a selfless priest, according to the archdiocese.

Msgr. Menna served as parochial vicar for Holy Saviour Parish, Norristown; St. Dorothy Parish, Drexel Hill; St. Mary Parish, Schwenksville; and Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Philadelphia.

He also served as assistant controller for the archdiocese and as a faculty member at St. Pius X High School, Pottstown.

In 1978, Msgr. Menna was appointed pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Philadelphia, and in 1985, he became parochial administrator, and later pastor, of St. Patrick Parish, Malvern.

In 1989, he was named regional vicar for Delaware County. Eight years later, he became the rector for Villa St. Joseph and the administrator for the archdiocesan Department of Retired Priests. He retired in 2005.

Surviving are two sisters, and nieces and nephews.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput will celebrate a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at St. Francis Country House, 1412 Lansdowne Ave., Darby Borough. A viewing will start at 9 a.m. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Camilla Hall, Box 100, Immaculata, Pa. 19345, or Villa St. Joseph, 1436 Lansdowne Ave., Darby, Pa. 19023.