Obituary for Rev. Aquinas Edward Stack, O. Carm.
REVEREND AQUINAS EDWARD STACK, O. CARM.
July 24, 1932 - October 20, 2011
Middletown, NY
Professed First Vows in the Order of Carmelites, on September 8, 1954.
Professed Solemn Vows on September 15, 1957.
Ordained to the Priesthood on June 8, 1985.
Reverend Aquinas Edward Stack, O.Carm., a member of the Order of Carmelites of the North American Province of St. Elias, died in University Hospital in Tamarac, FL on October 20, 2011 after bravely facing cancer for over a year and a half. He was 79 years old.
Father Aquinas was born in New York, NY on July 24, 1932 to John and Elizabeth Culhane Stack. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Noreen Barry and his brother, John (Jack).
Father Aquinas received his habit in the Order of Carmelites, North American Province of Saint Elias in September 1953, when he entered the Carmelite Novitiate in Williamstown, MA. At the conclusion of his Novitiate year he professed First Vows of Obedience, Poverty and Chastity on September 8, 1954. He professed his Solemn Vows on September 15, 1957. On May 24, 1975, Brother Aquinas – as he was then known – was ordained the first "permanent" Deacon in the St. Elias Province and served in that capacity for many years. Later, he was ordained to the priesthood on June 8, 1985 in Middletown, NY by Bishop Austin Vaughan.
He graduated with a B.S. in Education and Business from Syracuse University in 1969 and a Masters Degree in History from SUNY in New Paltz, NY in 1976. Fr. Aquinas studied theology at St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary, Rensselaer, NY and completed his degree in 1985.
From 1954 to 1967, Fr. Aquinas taught Business, English and Religion at Mt. Carmel High School in Auburn, NY, while also serving the community as a brother and, most notably, as a cook. He also taught History at J.S. Burke Catholic High School in Goshen, NY from 1967-1979, where he also served as Campus Minister and Guidance Counselor for the sophomores and as a teacher and prefect at St. Albert’s Junior Seminary in Middletown, NY. In Williamstown, MA, from 1980-1985, he did retreat work at Mt. Carmel Spiritual Life Center.
After his ordination, Fr. Aquinas served as Parochial Vicar, Prior and Procurator at Transfiguration Parish in Tarrytown, NY from 1985-1994. He was Parochial Vicar and Prior at St. Jude Priory, Boca Raton from 1994 to 1997. He also served as pre-Novice Director for one year at St. Eliseus Priory in Tappan, NY (1999-2000) before returning to St. Jude Priory in Boca Raton, where he served as Parochial Vicar from 2000 to 2007.
Upon his retirement, Fr. Aquinas moved to St. Elias Priory in Coral Springs, FL, where he lived from 2007 until his death.
A dedicated, joyful and hard-working Carmelite, Father Aquinas Stack, O.Carm. was a professed member of the Carmelite Order for 57 years and a priest for 26 years. He will be greatly missed.
There will be a Wake and Funeral Mass at St. Jude R.C. Church, Boca Raton on Monday, October 24th. On the following day, Tuesday, October 25th, Fr. Aquinas’ body will be brought to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Middletown, NY.
Visitation will be held 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25 at The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 70 Carmelite Drive, Middletown, NY with Evening Prayer at 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. on Wednesday, October 26. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 26. Interment will be in Carmelite Cemetery, Middletown, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Father Aquinas Stack, O.Carm.'s memory may be made to the Carmelite Education Fund, and mailed to: P.O. Box 868, Carmelite Drive, Middletown, NY 10940.
Arrangements are under the direction of Glick Funeral Home, 3600 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL and Applebee McPhillips Funeral Home, 130 Highland Ave., Middletown, NY.
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July 24, 1932 - October 20, 2011
Middletown, NY
Professed First Vows in the Order of Carmelites, on September 8, 1954.
Professed Solemn Vows on September 15, 1957.
Ordained to the Priesthood on June 8, 1985.
Reverend Aquinas Edward Stack, O.Carm., a member of the Order of Carmelites of the North American Province of St. Elias, died in University Hospital in Tamarac, FL on October 20, 2011 after bravely facing cancer for over a year and a half. He was 79 years old.
Father Aquinas was born in New York, NY on July 24, 1932 to John and Elizabeth Culhane Stack. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Noreen Barry and his brother, John (Jack).
Father Aquinas received his habit in the Order of Carmelites, North American Province of Saint Elias in September 1953, when he entered the Carmelite Novitiate in Williamstown, MA. At the conclusion of his Novitiate year he professed First Vows of Obedience, Poverty and Chastity on September 8, 1954. He professed his Solemn Vows on September 15, 1957. On May 24, 1975, Brother Aquinas – as he was then known – was ordained the first "permanent" Deacon in the St. Elias Province and served in that capacity for many years. Later, he was ordained to the priesthood on June 8, 1985 in Middletown, NY by Bishop Austin Vaughan.
He graduated with a B.S. in Education and Business from Syracuse University in 1969 and a Masters Degree in History from SUNY in New Paltz, NY in 1976. Fr. Aquinas studied theology at St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary, Rensselaer, NY and completed his degree in 1985.
From 1954 to 1967, Fr. Aquinas taught Business, English and Religion at Mt. Carmel High School in Auburn, NY, while also serving the community as a brother and, most notably, as a cook. He also taught History at J.S. Burke Catholic High School in Goshen, NY from 1967-1979, where he also served as Campus Minister and Guidance Counselor for the sophomores and as a teacher and prefect at St. Albert’s Junior Seminary in Middletown, NY. In Williamstown, MA, from 1980-1985, he did retreat work at Mt. Carmel Spiritual Life Center.
After his ordination, Fr. Aquinas served as Parochial Vicar, Prior and Procurator at Transfiguration Parish in Tarrytown, NY from 1985-1994. He was Parochial Vicar and Prior at St. Jude Priory, Boca Raton from 1994 to 1997. He also served as pre-Novice Director for one year at St. Eliseus Priory in Tappan, NY (1999-2000) before returning to St. Jude Priory in Boca Raton, where he served as Parochial Vicar from 2000 to 2007.
Upon his retirement, Fr. Aquinas moved to St. Elias Priory in Coral Springs, FL, where he lived from 2007 until his death.
A dedicated, joyful and hard-working Carmelite, Father Aquinas Stack, O.Carm. was a professed member of the Carmelite Order for 57 years and a priest for 26 years. He will be greatly missed.
There will be a Wake and Funeral Mass at St. Jude R.C. Church, Boca Raton on Monday, October 24th. On the following day, Tuesday, October 25th, Fr. Aquinas’ body will be brought to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Middletown, NY.
Visitation will be held 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25 at The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 70 Carmelite Drive, Middletown, NY with Evening Prayer at 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. on Wednesday, October 26. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 26. Interment will be in Carmelite Cemetery, Middletown, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Father Aquinas Stack, O.Carm.'s memory may be made to the Carmelite Education Fund, and mailed to: P.O. Box 868, Carmelite Drive, Middletown, NY 10940.
Arrangements are under the direction of Glick Funeral Home, 3600 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL and Applebee McPhillips Funeral Home, 130 Highland Ave., Middletown, NY.
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