Fr. David Farrugia

1934 - 2025

Fr. David Farrugia, OP
07/01/1934 - 04/01/2025
Fr. David John Farrugia, OP, a Dominican friar of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, died peacefully in his sleep on April 1, 2025, in Benicia, CA, one day shy of his 65th anniversary of ordination as a Roman Catholic priest.
Fr. David was born July 1, 1934, to Anthony and Mary (Scicluna) Farrugia in Vittoriosa, Malta. After attending elementary school in Mosta, Malta, he entered the Archbishop's Minor Seminary in Floriana, Malta, where he completed his high school education. He was accepted at St. Albert the Great College, administered by the Dominican friars in Valetta, Malta, in 1950. Inspired by the example of the friars, he entered their novitiate in 1953 and made solemn profession on October 20, 1957, in Rabat, Malta. He was ordained on April 2, 1960, at St. John's Cathedral in Valletta, Malta, and began his priestly ministry. Fourteen months later, an agreement made between the priors provincial of Malta and the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus in California sent several Maltese friars to serve in the Western U.S., including Fr. David.
In Benicia and Kentfield, CA, the young priest was sent to work in the formation of lay brothers, then in 1965 he began the first of many assignments in parishes of the Holy Name province. He was an associate pastor at St. Dominic's in San Francisco, at St. Mary Magdalen's in Berkeley, St. Dominic's in Benicia, St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral in Reno, NV, and St. Dominic's parish in Los Angeles. He served as a chaplain to the Christian Brothers novitiate community at Mont LaSalle in the wine country. Twice he served in the Catholic campus ministry at the University of California, Riverside. He was popular and loved by both students and parishioners for his organizational skills and approachability.
In 1973 he became a U.S. citizen and three years later transfiliated from the Dominican province of Malta to the Dominican province of the Holy Name in the western U.S.
After a sabbatical year studying philosophy, theology and scripture at Notre Dame and in the Holy Land, Fr. David was named pastor of Our Lady of the Mountain parish in Ashland, OR, the first of several long and successful pastorates. He returned as pastor to St. Mary Magdalen church in Berkeley and finally at St. Dominic's in Benicia.
Within every community he served, many people counted him as a wise counselor and friend. Parish leaders at the last parish he served as pastor wrote to the prior provincial to plead that Fr. David be given a second term as pastor. "We want you to know what an amazing impact he has had on our church and school community…He is aware of challenges within some families and addresses them in a concerned and supportive manner. His humor, humility and kindness have touched so many."
After 52 years in active ministry, Fr. David retired to the Dominican community in Benicia, where he continued to serve as a confessor and confidante to many grateful individuals who were embraced in his welcoming heart.
A vigil will be held at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 475 East I Street, Benicia, CA, on Tuesday, April 8 at 7:30 PM. A funeral Mass will be held at the same location Wednesday, April 9, at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at St. Dominic's cemetery in Benicia. A memorial fund has been established to honor Fr. David. Gifts will support the education of Fr. David's Dominican brothers still in formation. Please donate online at https://opwest.org/frdavidfarrugia