October 5, 2014
Plymouth, MA
Christian Schembri of Plymouth died on October 5th in Plymouth he was born January 10, 1922 in New York City to Emmanuel and Mary Schembri. He attended La Salle Academy in New York from 1936 to 1940. He began his Study for the priesthood at St. Lawrence College, Mt Calvary, WI, and was ordained a priest on June 2, 1948 following several short-term assignments, Christian was sent to the Island of Guam where he ministered for four years. After given a dispensation from the active priesthood, Christian later married Maria Pilar de la Cruz on December 31, 1987. Christian worked for 30 years as Director of Elder Affairs for the Town of Plymouth. He implemented many services, including meals on wheels, transportation, purchase of the 230 court St. building and many social services. Christian retired in 2004.
He is survived by his beloved wife Maria Pilar Schembri, his children Christian of Sagamore, Maria Schembri of California, William and Susan Cruz of Wisconsin, step sons John and Sherie Santos of Seekonk, Mark Santos of Plymouth and Bill and Angela Santos of Florida. Christian is also survived by his brother Larry and wife Ethel and several nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
Chris was a long time member of CORPUS NEW ENGLAND. He attended the first CORPUS organizational meeting in Chicago in the seventies which lead him to organize the early meetings of CORPUS in New England in the late seventies. Chris was a strong advocate for a married priesthood throughout his life. His loving and caring concern for his family and his work with elderly was evident to all and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.