June 8,2023 He served the people of God for 73 years in ordained ministry in the Diocese of Syracuse and will be remembered with great affection and respect by all those whose lives he touched.
Monsignor Eugene M. Yennock passed away early the morning of Tuesday, June 6. He was 97 years old and had been under hospital and hospice care before his death.
Danielle Cummings, diocesan Chancellor and Director of Communications issued this statement:
“It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the death of Msgr. Eugene Yennock, who died early Tuesday morning, June 6, 2023. He was 97 years old and marked his 73rd anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood this past Saturday. We are most grateful for Msgr. Yennock’s faithful service, mentorship and leadership as a priest and his caring ministry among so many people throughout the diocese.”
In recent years, physical limitations still did not keep Msgr. Yennock from spreading the Gospel. He is show here praying from a car with volunteers outside Planned Parenthood in Syracuse.
Monsignor was born September 29, 1925 to Salvatore and Ermalinda Capozzo Yennock, parishioners of Our Lady of Pompei Church. Growing up on the Northside of Syracuse, he attended elementary school at Pompei, and St. John the Baptist High School before attending St. Andrew and St Bernard seminaries. He also received an advanced degree in education from Syracuse University.
He was ordained in June, 1950 and assigned as an assistant at Immaculate Conception in Fulton, eventually becoming administrator. In 1962 he was named principal of Oswego Catholic High School and also served at the same time as pastor of Saint Peter Church in Oswego from 1966 to 1971. For the next ten years he was pastor of Our Lady of the Angels in Endwell before being named pastor of St. Daniel Church in Syracuse (Lyncourt). He would remain there until his retirement in 2021.
Always very active in his parish and the community at large, he continued his priestly ministry of presence to all until his passing. From blessing groups of motorcycles, to praying for life with volunteers outside Planned Parenthood, to visiting the sick in their homes and hospitals, Msgr. Yennock was known for his extensive ministry and for the loving care of his parishes. He also had great influence on a number of young men who would themselves go on to be ordained to the priesthood.
All services will take place at St. Daniel Church, 3004 Court Street, Syracuse. They are as follows :
Sunday, June 11th Visitation will take place from 4pm-6:30pm. The Vigil for a Deceased Priest will be at 7pm.
Monday, June 12th Calling Hours for Clergy will take place from 8:30am-9:30am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am.
Interment in Assumption Cemetery will follow the Mass.
Please keep Monsignor Yennock, his family and friends and the St. Daniel’s community in your thoughts and prayers.
The Catholic Sun will provide ongoing, additional coverage on this website and via Facebook and Instagram. We will provide a full report in our next available print edition on June 22.
