The following information about the Fathers from the Second Edition of the Society of the Divine Savior, "On Whose Shoulders We Stand", published 2005. Salvatorian Archives, 2506 N. Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53213-1135
Collection compiled by Michael R. Hoffman SDS
Submitted by Bob Domagalski, contact information on contributors page.
BROTHER RICHARD CANTARELLA SDS Born September 22, 1936 - Died July 10, 2004 Brother Richard Cantarella (birth name: Joseph) was born on September 22, 1936, in Camden, New Jersey. After graduating from the local Catholic high school, he became a Brother candidate in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. He entered the Society's Novitiate in Colfax, Iowa, in 1958, and he made his profession of vows on June 29, 1959. His first assignment brought him back to his home state, where he ministered as custodian at Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey, until its closure in 1967. This was followed by several years at St. Pius X Seminary in Galt, California; and finally at the Salvatorian Mission Warehouse in New Holstein, Wisconsin, beginning in 1974. His duties at the Mission Warehouse included the loading of thousands of heavy containers for shipment and driving the 18-wheeler truck across the country - a task he truly loved. In 1999, to celebrate his many years of service, he was rewarded with a trip to Tanzania, East Africa, to see firsthand the place to which he had made so many shipments, and also to see, for the first time, the joy on the faces of those who directly benefited from his ministry. In the Fall of 2003, Bro. Richard was diagnosed with cancer and he began a series of treatments. Several days before his death, he was admitted to St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac for a blood clot which seemed to be responding well enough for him to think about returning hime, but he died suddenly on the morning of July 10, 2004. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. He is remembered as a humble man with an infectious smile and a jovial sense of humor who radiated warmth and goodness to everyone he met.
FATHER DANIEL CARROLL SDS Born March 21, 1916 - Died September 5, 2002 Father Daniel Carroll (birth name: Gerard Paul) was born in 1916 in Chicago, Illinois. When he was a small child, his family moved to Brooklyn, New York. He would always refer to himself as a "native New Yorker." He attended high school and college seminaries in New York as a diocesan seminarian before considering religious life. He entered the Society's Novitiate in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, in 1939, and made his profession of vows the following year, on December 8, 1940. He completed his studies for the priesthood at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, and Catholic University in Washington, DC, and was ordained a priest in Lanham on February 5, 1944. He served eight years in his first assignment, which was in the missions of Colombia, South America. When he returned to the United States, he served as chaplain in Divine Savior Hospital in Portage, Wisconsin; then as teacher at Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey; and finally at St. Pius X Seminary in Rio Dell and later, Galt, California. After one year at Mother Mary Mission in Phenix City, Alabama, he returned to the missions, this time in Mexico, where he ministered for ten years. In 1973, he began a series of parish assignments to the Latino people of Arizona and California, until his retirement in 1986. He lived for a time with the community at St. Mark's Parish in Phoenix, Arizona, and then moved to the Jordan Hall community in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1994, greater health care issues demanded a move to St. Mary's Nursing Home, where he lived until his death on September 5, 2002. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Fr. Dan is remembered for his love and compassion for the poor and unfortunate. During his years in Mexico, part of his ministry was in outreach to the lepers who had been separated from the cities. Soft- spoken and warm-hearted, his ministry and dedication were an example to all. A great lover of football, he had grown up as a high school buddy of Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers. Fr. Dan was pictured a couple times on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine, sitting alongside Coach Lombardi and the players.
FATHER ROBERT CASPER SDS Born January 19, 1915 - Died May 10, 1998 Father Robert Casper (birth name: Berthold Rudolph) was born in 1915 in Herman, Wisconsin, not far from St. Nazianz, where he attended Salvatorian Seminary for his high school studies and the first two years of college. He entered the Novitiate there in 1937 and made his profession of vows the following year, on September 8, 1938. He completed his studies at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, and Catholic University in Washington, DC. He was ordained a priest in Lanham on February 5, 1944. For five years, Fr. Robert was a missionary in Columbia, South America, serving in parishes and teaching in the seminary. When he returned home, he was named dean of students and director of discipline at Jordan Seminary in Menominee, Michigan. Later, he ministered as the Superior of the community in Elkton, Maryland, where he also worked on the farm. In 1954, Fr. Robert spent a year in California, helping to establish St. Pius X Seminary in Rio Dell, after which he returned to South America and served another four years in the missions. He returned to California, to the seminary in Rio Dell, and helped it through its relocation to Galt, where he continued to teach. He then was pastor of Holy Cross Church in Bryte (West Sacramento), for eleven years. Afterwards, Fr. Robert assisted in several parishes in the northern California area until 1986, when he semi-retired to the community in Chilton, Wisconsin. In 1994, declining health brought him to the Jordan Hall community in Milwaukee. The following year, his worsening emphysema demanded more intense care at St. Mary's Home in Manitowoc, where he died peacefully on May 10, 1998. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. A kind and gentle man, he is remembered fondly for his teaching and his example. Fr. Robert was also a gifted artist who crafted numerous mosiacs which adorned several churches and chapels where he lived and worked.
FATHER DAVID CHRISTEL SDS Born June 14, 1926 - Died January 5, 1992 Father David Christel (birth name: William Joseph) was born on June 14, 1926, in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. The presence and influence of the Salvatorian community was part of his life from the very beginning, having grown up in the shadows of the nearby seminary and monastery. He attended Salvatorian Seminary for his high school studies and the first two years of college. He then entered the Novitiate there in 1945, an he made his profession of vows on October 18, 1946. He completed his studies for the priesthood at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, and Catholic University in Washington, DC, where he was ordained on June 9, 1952. He then went to Rome, Italy, for further studies at the Gregorian Univresity, earning his doctorate in philosophy in 1956. When he returned to the United States, Fr. David ministered in retreat work at the Garrigan Retreat Center in Sioux City, Iowa; as teacher at St. Pius X Seminary in Rio Dell and later Galt, California, where he also served as spiritual director; and at Mount St. Paul College in Waukesha, Wisconsin. When the school closed in 1970, he remained in Waukesha for three years, working in St. Mary's Parish and St. William's Parish. From 1973 until his death, he ministered in the parishes of Chilton Interfaith Ministry. He died on January 5, 1992, in Holy Family Medical Center in Manitowoc, following a lengthy illness. A tall man with a soft-spoken voice, Fr. David is remembered as a "gentle giant" who loved to be with people, and whose service to the community and the Church were admired by all. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz.
FATHER ALBERT CIOFFI SDS Born September 26, 1931 - Died April 29, 1976 Father Albert Joseph Cioffi was born in Camden, New Jersey, in 1931. After completing high school, he served in the Marines, was trained as an electrical engineer, and was stationed on a NATO destroyer in the Arctic North. During his military service he traveled extensively, met many people, and received numerous awards and commendations. After returning to civilian life, he studied management in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and worked in various industrial firms. It was during this time that his interest in the Catholic Church was awakened, and he was baptized at the age of 31. While serving as vice president of a large food manufacturing firm, he learned of the Society, and he entered the Novitiate in Colfax, Iowa, in 1966. He made his profession of vows there on August 22, 1967. He did his philosophy studies at Mount St. Paul College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and he took his theology courses at St. Paul's College in Washington, DC. He was ordained a priest on May 19, 1973, in Haddon Heights, New Jersey. During his studies for the priesthood, he gained an interest in ministering to the sick and was certified a chaplain. After ordination, Fr. Al was appointed chaplain of Maricopa County Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, and he lived with the community at St. Mark's Parish in that city. Just a short two-and-a-half years into his priestly ministry, he developed lymphatic cancer. Despite aggressive attempts to eradicate it, it eventually took his life on April 29, 1976. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. Outgoing and possessing a booming voice, Fr. Al is remembered as a man who was deeply dedicated to his ministry and to the community. He was, incidentally, the first Salvatorian of the USA Province to die without ever having received a religious name.
BROTHER LAWRENCE CLIFFORD SDS Born March 24, 1908 - Died July 3, 1980 Brother Lawrence Clifford (birth name: Daniel Anthony) was born in 1908 in Long Island City, New York. He entered the Society as a Brother candidate in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, where he also spent his Novitiate year. He made his profession of vows on June 30, 1930. He spent the entire fifty years of his religious life in St. Nazianz, ministering to the community and to the school in numerous capacities: receptionist, bookkeeper, secretary, and infirmarian. Over the years, he literally cared for thousands of ill students in the seminary, and aged or infirmed Brothers and priests of the community. He was often called upon to care for people in the middle of the night or the early morning, interrupting his own sleep so that he could minister to those in need. He is remembered as a man whose personal joy and happiness served as an inspiration to many. Besides what was required of his work, he often went out of his way to help arrange for medical and dental appointments, as well as transportation, for those who needed it. Bro. Lawrence's presence and availability were trademarks of his love of service to the community and to the students. Just three days after the 50th Jubilee of his Profession, he died in Holy Family Hospital in Manitowoc, following complications of surgery. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz.
FATHER DENIS COONEY SDS Born June 12, 1909 - Died February 9, 1973 Father Denis Cooney (birth name: Francis Anthony) was born in 1909 in New London, Wisconsin. After two years of high school studies in his hometown, he attended Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz. He entered the Novitiate there in 1932 and made his profession of vows the following year. He completed his studies at Catholic University in Washington, DC, and was ordained to the priesthood in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on May 30, 1939. His ministries included being teacher and disciplinarian in the seminary in St. Nazianz; and vocation director for Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey, in the first years of its existence. He also served as the community's Superior and the school's rector for six years. He was pastor of St. Gregory's Parish in St. Nazianz; and teacher and spiritual director at St. Mary's High School in Lancaster, New York. Beginning in 1967, complications of diabetes and a heart ailment made full-time work impossible for him, but he continued to minister as much as he was able. For a time, he lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was engaged in pastoral work; and later in Galt, California, where he resided at St. Pius X Seminary and did pastoral work in that area. After a brief period of chaplaincy in San Jose, he went to Mishawaka, Indiana, to help in the local parishes there. In 1972, he returned to Wisconsin, to Oshkosh, where he was associate pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, until his death in February 1973. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Fr. Denis is remembered as a man who was deeply committed to the work of the Church, fostering the development and growth of faith, especially in young people. He was uncle to another priest of the province, Fr. David Cooney.
BISHOP ARNOLD COTEY SDS Born June 15, 1921 - Died May 21, 1998 Bishop Arnold Cotey (birth name: Ralph Joseph) was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 15, 1921. He attended Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz for high school and the first two years of college, after which he entered the Society's Novitiate there in 1942. He made his profession of vows on September 8, 1943. He completed his studies for the priesthood at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, and Catholic University in Washington, DC, where he was ordained in the Shrine of Immaculate Conception on June 7, 1949. After one year as teacher and coach in the seminary in St. Nazianz, he went into missionary work in Macao, China. In 1954, the Communists expelled all missionaries from the country. The next year, Fr. Arnold and several others were sent as the first Salvatorians to minister in Tanganyika (now Tanzania), Africa. He was assigned as the first mission Superior. In 1963, the Diocese of Nachingwea was formed, and Fr. Arnold was appointed its first bishop. He was ordained a bishop in Rome by Pope Paul VI in St. Peter's Basilica on October 20, 1963, and his installation in Nachingwea was celebrated by Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa, the first East African Cardinal. Bishop Cotey was the first Salvatorian in history to be ordained a bishop. He attended the last three sessions of the Second Vatican Council. In 1983, the first native bishop was appointed to succeed Bishop Cotey. After helping the new bishop for a year, Bishop Cotey returned to the United States, and served as associate pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Kiel, Wisconsin, and assisted in confirmations in the area. He also continued the Divine Savior Cassette Tape Apostolate, which was begun by Fr. Winfrid Herbst. After a short sabbatical program in 1989, Bishop Cotey became associate pastor of St. Nicholas Parish in Dacada, Wisconsin. In the summer of 1995, he retired to the Jordan Hall community in Milwaukee. In 1996, he moved to St. Mary's Nursing Home in Milwaukee. He died there peacefully on May 21, 1998, and he was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Bishop Cotey was a big man with a big heart, and he had a pioneering spirit that served him and the community well.
BROTHER ADRIAN CUDDEBACK SDS Born April 30, 1916 - Died April 21, 1967 Brother Adrian Cuddeback (birth name: Lorance Raymond) was born in 1916 in Lambert, Montana, a tiny town in the northeast part of the state. During his early childhood, his family moved to Park Falls, Wisconsin. He entered the Society in St. Nazianz, and at the completion of his Novitiate year there, he made his profession of vows on September 8, 1939. For nine years, Bro. Adrian worked in the Publishing Department office. He was then assigned to Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, where he was engaged in various tasks for the community. In 1963, he went to St. Joseph's Parish in Huntsville, Alabama. Frail health forced him to move to the Brother's Juniorate in Menominee, Michigan, in 1964, where he managed the Jordan Stamp Mart on behalf of the Society's missions. He died of a heart attack during the community's morning prayers on April 21, 1967, just short of his 51st birthday. Bro. Adrian is remembered as a deeply spiritual and dedicated religious. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz.
