Rev. David F. Zercie, MSA - Order of Missionaries of the Holy Apostles

Rev. David F. Zercie, or simply "Father Dave" as he was known to so many, passed away peacefully on Friday night, October 10th, following a period of declining health.

He was born on April 23rd, 1938, to Adrian and Alice Zercie in Norwich, Connecticut. Father Dave attended Providence College, and subsequently entered Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut where he joined the Order and studied to become a Roman Catholic Priest. He was ordained at St. Patrick Cathedral in Norwich, Connecticut in 1969, and soon began his missionary work with the Order in southern Brazil, where he spent several years. He was subsequently posted to the Order's Mission in Peru, serving the people of the very remote high Andean villages.

After returning home from Peru, Father David worked as an associate at St. Dominic Church in Southington, Connecticut. He later began a Spanish-speaking mission at St. John's Church in Middletown, Connecticut. He also spent many years assisting his friend Father Thomas Gaffney at St. Joseph’s Church in New Britain. Following his many years of primary foreign and local mission work, he took on the additional role at Holy Apostles Seminary and College as Spiritual Director, in the instruction and formation of Seminarians for the Priesthood.

Father Dave was predeceased by his parents Adrian and Alice (Bonesio) Zercie. He is survived by his sister, Duane (Zercie) Hallgren of Southington, until recently of Branford; his 4 nephews, Tim Hallgren, Tom Hallgren, Dave Hallgren, and Anders Hallgren, and their respective families.

Father Dave will lie in state at Our Lady Queen of the Holy Apostles Chapel on the campus of Holy Apostles College at 33 Prospect Hill Rd., Cromwell, Connecticut on Saturday, October 18th, at 10:00 A.M., with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:45 A.M. Burial will be privately held in the family plot in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Plainville.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to the Fr. David Zercie fund for Retired Clergy. You may donate one of two ways:

1. Givebutter.com/lJANu8 OR 2. Please make checks payable to: "The Father David Zercie Fund for Retired Clergy" c/o Liberty Bank 60 North Main St., Southington CT 06489. Farrell Funeral Home has been entrusted with the service.