FRAMINGHAM – Father Conrad Stephen Pecevich was born in Worcester, MA on September 19, 1949, the son of Leonard J. Pecevich and Anna R. (Shea) Pecevich. He was proud to be a “Son of Saint Peter’s Parish”, having been baptized and receiving all his Sacraments at Saint Peter’s Church in Worcester. He attended Saint Peter’s Elementary School and Saint Peter’s Catholic Central High School, graduating in 1967. In that same church he celebrated his first Mass in 1977.
“Fr. Conrad” complete his priestly studies at Christ the King Seminary, originally located at Saint Bonaventure University, Saint Bonaventure, NY, and later relocated to East Aurora, NY. He was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester on June 4, 1977 by Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan. Following priestly ordination, Fr. Conrad pursued advance degrees at Providence College, Assumption College and eventually earned a Doctorate of Ministry at Andover Newton Theological School, Newton Centre, MA. During his priestly life he frequently pursued Spanish language courses in Florida, Mexico, Guatemala and Toledo, Spain. He was the recipient of a study grant at the Universidad de La Mancha by the Government of Spain.
Fr. Pecevich was an avid educator and writer. He served for many years as adjunct professor at Anna Maria College, Paxton in the Religious Studies Department and later at Nichols College, Dudley in the Humanities Department. He served as instructor of Old Testament and World Religions in the Deacon Program of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island and of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester. Over most of his priesthood, Father conducted popular Bible Study programs for adults in the Diocese of Worcester and the Archdiocese of Boston.
He was proud of his Russian and Irish ancestry, and he traveled several times to Ireland in order to discover his ancestral roots there. That brought him to Killarney, County Kerry and to Cork City. He loved Irish music and theatre and cherished his friends in Ireland. He also studied Russian Orthodox spirituality and culture.
His priestly assignments also included Saint Roch’s Parish, Oxford, Saint Theresa’s Parish, Blackstone, Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish, Worcester, all as Associate Pastor. He was appointed Pastor of Saint Paul’s Parish, Blackstone and later of Saint Anne’s Parish, Southborough.
In 1985, Fr. Pecevich was assigned to Anna Maria College, Paxton as Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry. He proudly served at AMC for several years. Later he was appointed to be Chaplain at Nichols College, Dudley. His many years working college students greatly enriched his life. While chaplain at Nichols College, he also ministered to the Spanish-speaking community at Saint Louis Parish, Webster.
In addition to being a dedicated educator, Father Conrad was an avid writer. He was a popular columnist of the Catholic Free Press of the Worcester Diocese wherein he wrote a weekly column based on the Sunday Scripture readings. He also enjoyed writing short inspirational stories based on his real life experiences and the examples of his friends and life time heroes. He also had what he referred to as “Card Ministry” where he loved to remember people’s birthdays, anniversaries, losses and successes.
He is survived by his sister, Rita Pecevich Lebouef of Worcester and his sister-in-law, Linda Finsen Pecevich of Bristol, CT and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his fellow priests of the Diocese of Worcester and many cherished friends. He was predeceased by his loving brother, David D. Pecevich, and by his brother Leonard.
Father Pecevich will be waked at Saint John’s Church, 44 Temple Street, Worcester on Monday, May 18 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM with a Vigil Service beginning at 7:00 PM. Deacon William H. White will be the homilist. His funeral Mass and Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, May 19 at 11:00 AM in the church with the Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester as the main celebrant. The homilist will be the Reverend John F. Madden. Burial will take place in Saint Joseph’s Cemetery, Cherry Valley, Leicester. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Priest’s Retirement Fund of the Diocese of Worcester, 49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609. Arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster.