June 13, 2010
REST IN PEACE
Walter J. Melfi, Jr., 86, husband of Ann Templeton Melfi, of Charleston, SC, died Sunday, June 13, 2010. Walter was born in Charleston January 17, 1924, the son of Walter J. Melfi, Sr., and Gertrude E. Cooper. Surviving are his sisters: Maree M. Kann (Robert O.), Dolores M. DeLuca (Chris, deceased), Mae Frances Parnelle (Charles divorced), and (Charles Holmes, deceased), and Rosemary M. Cantey (Jack). Walter is also survived by sister-in-law, Marguerite T. Perri (Louis, Sr.), and 18 nieces and nephews. Visitation with family and friends will be 10 a.m., Thursday, June 17, 2010, one hour prior to the 11 a.m., Mass of Christian Burial, at St. John's Catholic Church, 3921 St. John Avenue, N. Charleston, SC 29405. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Catholic Church. Walter Melfi attended Bishop England High School, St. Charles College in Cantonsville, MD, St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, MD and Theological College of the Catholic University in Washington, DC. He was ordained a Catholic priest June 4, 1949 by Bishop Emmet M. Walsh. Over a span of 20 years, Father Melfi served in at least seven parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Charleston. In August of 1969, he resigned from the official priestly ministry of the Catholic Church. In October of 1971, he entered into a civil marriage with Ann Templeton. On November 10, 2005, he became reconciled with the Catholic Church, receiving from Pope Benedict XVI the dispensation from his vow of celibacy and having his marriage with Ann Templeton validated November 21, 2005, by Monsignor Anthony LaFemina. Personal testimony: Walt Melfi offered his sufferings to our Loving Mary, so that she would offer them for the relief of her holy souls in Purgatory. He pleaded with our Loving Savior, Jesus, to cleanse him in the healing streams of His Merciful Love. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraph 1463, declares: "In danger of death, any priest even if deprived of faculties for hearing confessions, can absolve from every sin and excommunication." Here is an official ecclesial confirmation that the Catholic priesthood embodied in me in 1949 remains centered in the core of my being: still bearing fruit when I am old, still full of sap, still green, proclaiming the Merciful Love of God." Arrangements by MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL, (843) 884-3833. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths
Walter joined CORPUS in 1975 and attended many CORPUS National Conferences through the years.