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Bennie Patillo Obituary

1936 - 2017 Rev. Msgr. Bennie Patillo, Pastor Emeritus of St. Elizabeth Parish in Port Neches and former Vicar General/Chancellor, a native of Port Arthur, 80, passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at his residence in Port Neches. He was born August 15, 1937 to the late Joe Patillo and Edna Lee Taliaferro Patillo in Port Arthur. Msgr. Bennie received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lamar State College of Technology in Beaumont in 1958 and a Master of Education from Loyola University in Chicago in 1971. Msgr. Bennie was employed at St. Mary Hospital in Port Arthur, while a pre-med student. He developed a close friendship with the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. This friendship led Msgr. Bennie, at age 19 and his mother, Edna, to take instructions to become Catholics. After completing his studies at Lamar College, he went on to teach at Thomas Edison Junior High School in Port Arthur, before entering the seminary in 1959. He attended St. Mary Seminary in Houston and was ordained a priest on May 25, 1967. Msgr. Bennie's first assignment was as an associate pastor at St. Pius X Parish in Beaumont. He later served as an associate at St. Mary in Orange, where he also taught high school religion for two years. He became a full-time counselor at Monsignor Kelly High School in Beaumont in 1969 and held the same position at Bishop Byrne High School in Port Arthur. In the years that followed, he served in many parishes including St. James and St. Joseph in Port Arthur, also Immaculate Conception in Groves. Msgr. Bennie was named pastor of Our Lady of the Pines Parish in Woodville on June 15, 1973. He was named Assistant Superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Beaumont in 1977 and served as Superintendent for five years after being appointed to that position in 1978. In 1985, Msgr. Bennie was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese of Beaumont and Rector of St. Anthony Cathedral. He served in these ministries for 12 years. He was then appointed Pastor of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Port Neches in 1995 and Pro Vicar General of the Diocese. In 2009, Msgr. Bennie was appointed a Prelate of Honor by Pope Benedict XVI, with the title of Monsignor. Msgr. Bennie retired as pastor, on October 31, 2014 and was given the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus by Bishop Curtis J. Guillory. A visitation will be held Saturday, April 8, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Port Neches from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Knights of Columbus Rosary to be prayed at 6:30 p.m. A visitation will be held Sunday, April 9, 2017 at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica in Beaumont from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The reception of the body will be at 4:00 p.m. by Bishop Curtis J. Guillory. A vigil service will be celebrated at 6:00 p.m. by Msgr. Kenneth Greig, Pastor Emeritus from St. Peter the Apostle Church and Immaculate Conception Church in Groves. A visitation will be held Monday, April 10, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Port Neches from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. A reception of the body will be at 8:00 a.m. by Father Shane Baxter, Pastor, Vicar General. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., celebrated by Bishop Curtis J. Guillory with concelebrating priest. The interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves, under the direction of Melancon's Funeral Home in Nederland. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church located at 2006 Nall Street in Port Neches, TX 77651.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Beaumont Enterprise from Apr. 8 to Apr. 9, 2017.

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Jessica Fontenot-Pitre

April 10, 2017

I attended St. Anthony Cathedral School beginning in 1987 and Fr. Bennie was the priest at St. Anthony Cathedral during that time. He also confirmed me for confirmation. I would attend Mass in Nederland when I worked in the area. Fr. Bennie, you are greatly loved and will be greatly missed. Rest in peace.

James Griffiths

April 10, 2017

I just found out about Father Patillo passing away last night. It seems like it was just yesterday that Mother passed away so its been difficult to hear the news of your passing. Father Patillo's Mother lived in our neighborhood and she was like a Mother to me. I know you are in a better place with your family and most of all with Jesus. You were a good man and you will be missed. The world has lost a good man but heaven has received a man who has worked his entire life spreading the word of Jesus. Father Bennie Patillo this is not a goodbye forever its more like see you soon in Heaven!

Mary Francis Cortinas

April 10, 2017

Fr.Bennie, because of your gentle spirit & warm smile many felt welcomed and accepted by you. You will be truly missed.
Sr. Mary F. Cortinas,CCVI Houston, Tx.

Father Benny telling his joke

Carolyn and Alfred Hebert

April 9, 2017

Father Benny we loved you dearly and missed you so very much after we moved. You suggested we have a civil wedding and come back in six months to a year and you would bless our marriage. That's what we did. We had a Hawaiian style wedding on a small cruise ship. For the blessing we wore the same Hawaiian clothing and I presented you with a lei from Hawaii. You took our pictures after a friend took pictures with you in the photo. You did that to make sure the crucifix was in the wedding picture. That photo is on a bookshelf in the living room.
When we went "home" for visits we were thrilled to be able to visit with you after mass. You will always be remembered for the jokes you told when mass ended and for the great sense of humor and loving nature you had.

Sister Maura Theriot

April 9, 2017

Rest in peace, Bennie. Thanks for sharing your wonderful sense of humor, as well as your gentle disposition. We shall all miss you.

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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Melancon Levingston Funeral Home - Nederland

1605 Avenue H, Nederland, TX 77627

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