Fr. Samuel R Saprano

Father Samuel R. Saprano, died March 12, 2025, at the age of 81. Father Saprano, born in Mansfield, Ohio, is the son of the late Joseph and Tinera (Miragliotta) Saprano. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Tony "Jeep" Saprano. He is survived by his sister, Tinera (Mike) Keough; nieces, Leslie Keough and Regina (Kaitlin) Keough; nephew, Anthony (Julie) Keough; great-nieces, Carmen, Carmilla, and Stella; a great-nephew, Vincenzo; and many cherished family and friends.

He attended St. Mary Grade School, Mansfield; St. Peter High School, Mansfield; St. Meinrad College, St. Meinrad, Indiana; Mount St. Mary's, Cincinnati, and St. John Vianney Seminary, Bloomingdale.

On May 14, 1971, he was ordained to the priesthood at St. John Vianney Seminary by Bishop John King Mussio. Immediately after ordination, Father Saprano was assigned as a teacher at St. Joseph Central High School, Ironton, with residency at St. Lawrence O'Toole and St. Joseph Parish, Bridgeport.

His assignments included: an assistant pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Wintersville, and St. Mary Parish, St. Clairsville; an administrator, St. John the Baptist Parish, Miltonsburg, and Immaculate Conception Mission, Ozark in 1976; pastor, St. John the Baptist and St. Joseph Parish, Burkhart in 1981; St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Fulda, and St. Michael Parish, Carlisle, in 1992.

Father Saprano was pastor of St. John Vianney Parish, Powhatan Point and St. Mary Parish, Shadyside, from 2007-2018. He also served as moderator for Visitation Deanery Council of Catholic Woman and as a member of the diocesan Presbyteral Council. Father Saprano retired from active parish ministry on July 25, 2018.

A funeral Mass for Father Saprano will be celebrated Friday, March 28, 2025, at 11:30AM, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 60 S. Mulberry St., Mansfield, Ohio. A gathering will be held at the church one hour before the Mass. Fr. Bradley Greer will preside over the Mass, with Fr. Kishore Kottana as the concelebrant priest. He will be laid to rest at Mansfield Catholic Cemetery.

Words of condolence may be expressed at www.wappner.com. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations can be directed to one of the parishes that Fr. Sam faithfully served.