ALBERT GEORGE AZRAK (priest)
Birth: April 24, 1932
Profession: June 22, 1954
Ordination: June 4, 1960
Born to Eternal Life: April 14, 2020
The Reverend Albert G. Azrak, C.S.S., a resident at Saint Patrick's Manor (Framingham, MA) was born to eternal life on Tuesday, April 14, 2020. He was 87 years old.
Father Al was born on April 24, 1932 in Central Falls, Rhode Island to the late Nahim and Eva (Shaccal) Azrak. After graduating from Central Falls High School he began his journey to the priesthood on September 16, 1951 when he entered the Stigmatine community in Waltham, MA., and professed his first vows on June 22, 1954. His perpetual profession came three years later on June 22, 1957. After completing his theological studies at Catholic University (Washington, D.C.), he was ordained on June 4, 1960 at Saint Peter's Church in Cambridge by Bishop Thomas Riley. From that day onward he lived to serve the Lord with faith and humility.
Father Al was a proud and devoted member of the Stigmatine community and had the capacity to develop lasting friendships with many people. He served a multitude of communities and always did so with humility and grace. He served as the Parochial Vicar at Sacred Heart Parish in Milford and at Holy Family Parish in Lynn. He was also the Coordinator of Works and later director and administrator of the Espousal Retreat House in Waltham and at Elm Bank in Wellesley.
Until his retirement in 2012 he was the pastor of Mount Carmel Parish in White Plains, New York where he served for eighteen years. Before that he was the pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Milford for sixteen years. He retired to the Saint Joseph's Hall, the Stigmatine residence in Waltham before declining health required admittance to Saint Patrick’s Manor, a skilled nursing facility in Framingham, MA..
Al will always be remembered for his kindness and gentle nature, and of course his wonderful self-deprecating sense of humor. He was an able administrator and he loved to travel both throughout the United States and abroad. Al enjoyed his Stigmatine confreres and regularly visited every community in his free time. He was always a gracious host, welcoming confreres whenever visitors arrived. He had clear opinions and enjoyed lively discussion and never shied away from a vigorous debate on a variety of topics. He was truly a humble person and personally lived a simple life.
In addition to his parents, Father Azrak is reunited in Heaven with his brother, the late George Azrak.
He leaves his sisters, Catherine Kando and Barbara Colicchio, many nieces, nephews and their families who loved and admired him to the very end.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 health restrictions, representative members of our community and Father Al's family will gather privately for his committal service in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Milford April 18, 2020. One the restrictions are lifted a public Mass of Remembrance will be celebrated.
Requiescat in Pace
