A funeral Mass for Deacon Joseph Fragale was celebrated Aug. 3 at St. Ambrose Church in St. Louis. Deacon Fragale died July 26 at age 60.
Deacon Fragale was ordained on June 7, 2014 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by Archbishop Robert J. Carlson. He was assigned to and assisted the pastor at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in St. Louis, where he served as a deacon until 2015; he also assisted at Father Dempsey’s Charities. In 2015 he was assigned to St. Ambrose Parish in St. Louis, where he served until his death. He served his parishes by presiding at baptisms, funeral services and weddings. Additionally, Deacon Fragale served by leading RCIA classes, marriage and baptism preparation, visiting nursing homes and making Communion calls to the homebound. He was also deeply involved with outreach to the poor and established the parish-based St. Ambrose Society.
In his professional career, Deacon Fragale spent many years as an IT project manager at Spire.
Deacon Fragale is survived by his wife, Suzanne “Suzie” Fragale (nee Cracchiolo); children, Nicholas, Joseph, Nina and Frank; six grandchildren; and mother, Virginia Fragale.
