Rev. Richard J. Kapral

Rev. Richard J. “Dick” Kapral, 78, of Utica and Camillus, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.

Born May 8, 1944, in Syracuse, he was the son of the late John W. and Rita Mary Lewis Kapral.  He attended West Genesee High School and was a graduate of St. John’s Catholic Academy, Syracuse, Resurrection College in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada and received his degree in Theology from St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester.  Father Kapral was ordained on May 16, 1970.

He served the Diocese of Syracuse at Our Lady of Solace Church, Syracuse, St. Francis deSales Church, Utica and St. Thomas Church, New Hartford as an Associate Pastor.  Father Kapral went on to serve as Pastor of St. Francis deSales Church, Utica, St. Bernard’s Church, Waterville, Holy Family Church, Vernon, St. Joseph Church and St. Patrick’s Church, Oneida along with St. Francis Church, Durhamville and St. Therese Church, Munnsville.  He currently served the Diocese as Administrator of St. Joseph & St. Patrick Church, Utica. 

Father Kapral is survived by two sisters and a brother-in-law, Susan Sherlock of Captiva, FL and North Truro, MA and Jeanne (Gerard) Muhl of Rochester; a brother, John W. Kapral, Jr. of Haines City, FL; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. 

Calling hours will be Sunday, November 6 from 4-6 pm at St. Joseph Church, 121 St. Joseph Place, Oneida.  The vigil for a deceased Priest will follow Sunday evening at 6 pm at the church.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, November 7 at 11 am at Holy Family Church, 127 Chapel Drive, Fairmount by Bishop Douglas J. Lucia.  Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, DeWitt.

In lieu of flowers, please consider the St. Joseph & St. Patrick Church Roof Restorations Fund, 702 Columbia Street, Utica, NY 13502.     

Arrangements are with Mark C. Bentz Funeral Service, Inc., New Hartford.  To express sympathy, please visit bentzfuneralhomes.com

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