Father Alfred E. Nortz (archive photo)
Father Alfred E. Nortz entered into his eternal rest on Tuesday, April 25. He was 88 years old.
Father Nortz celebrated 60 years as a priest in 2015, having been ordained for the diocese on February 2, 1955. Over the next 50 years, he served as associate pastor of Blessed Sacrament in Utica, associate pastor and administrator of Holy Family in Fairmount, associate pastor of St. Thomas Parish in Binghamton, pastor of St. Ann’s in Hinkley, pastor of St. Joseph’s in Boonville, and pastor of St. Vincent de Paul in Syracuse. He retired in July 2005 after 28 years as pastor of St. Vincent.
On the occasion of his 60th jubilee, Father Nortz told the Sun “he received his calling to become a priest after learning a priest in the diocese was leaving to become a missionary. After the priest left, Father Nortz approached his pastor and stated he too wanted to become a priest. The pastor told him to return after high school, which he did, and at that time the pastor encouraged him to attend the seminary.”
He also shared that “It has been a privilege to say Mass for the people in the areas I have served…. I am very thankful to the Lord for letting me live this long and work for Him alongside so many wonderful people. I hope wherever I went I encouraged people to know that the church was their church, not mine. I don’t think I did enough but I know I did what I could and I was happy so many people were so receptive.”
Father Nortz’s wake and funeral Mass will be held at St. Vincent’s, 342 Vine St., Syracuse. The wake will be held on Friday, April 28, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 29, at 10 a.m.
