Joseph Ponti

Born May 31, 1938 in Lissone, Milan, Italy. Passed away peacefully May 18, 2008. Father Ponti was the son of Emelio and Eufrisina Ponti. He is survived by his loving family; brother Valentino and wife Liliana and three nephews, one niece and five great-nieces and nephews. Following his studies with the Scalabrinian Fathers, Father Ponti was ordained in Italy on March 19, 1963. Shortly after ordination he was sent to Vancouver as assistant pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish where he remained until 1968, when he went to Rome for a year of postgraduate studies. Upon returning to Vancouver he was assigned to Our Lady of Fatima (Portuguese), where he built a new church, hall and rectory. In 1978 Father Ponti was appointed pastor of St. Helen's Parish in Burnaby. While there, the rectory and gymnasium were built and the school was remodeled. Father Ponti was instrumental in the opening of a pastoral and media centre in Vancouver and served as the editor of the well known Italian newspaper L'Eco d'Italia. He was also a program producer and radio talk-show host as well as interim director of the Vancouver Italian Folk Choir. Father Ponti was named the 1992 Man o f the Year by the Confratellanza Italo-Canadese. In 1989 he was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish where he added to the parish school and gymnasium. Father Ponti was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Langley in 1992 and built its new church. In 2004 he became pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Affectionately known as father Joe, he was involved in many different activities especially in the Italian community. At the time of his death he was the Archbishop's Representative to Notre Dame Secondary School, working energetically for its rebuilding. Father Ponti also served as a member of the Archdiocesan Synod and the Presbyteral Council. For many years he was the Archbishop's delegate to the Charismatic Renewal and Spiritual Director of the Lily of the Valley Curia of the Legion of Mary. Father Ponti was a Judge of the Vancouver Regional Marriage Tribunal. In 2003 he celebrated his 40th anniversary to the priesthood. Visitation will take place at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 2025 Napier Street, Vancouver on Thursday, May 22 from 1:00pm to 6:30 pm, followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Rosary Cathedral, 646 Richards Street, Vancouver, on Friday, May 23 at 1:30 pm. The Most Reverend Raymond Roussin, SM and the Most Reverend J. Michael Miller, CSB. celebrants. Interment, Gardens of Gethsemani Cemetery, Surrey, BC. In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Restoration Fund or the Notre Dame High School Building Fund would be appreciated. Sincere thanks to Dr. Savage and her team at the B.C. Cancer Clinic for their care and kindness during Father Ponti's illness.