Father Michael Sciumbato

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Father Michael Sciumbato

November 28, 1955 ~ April 27, 2024

Father Michael Ross Sciumbato, 69, died April 27, 2024. He had struggled for some years with several chronic health conditions, and had just undergone surgeries at Saint Mark’s Hospital.

Fr. Sciumbato was born in Salt Lake City to his loving parents, Rosario and Angelina Mirabelli Sciumbato, on November 28, 1955. He attended Hawthorne Elementary and South High School in Salt Lake City, graduating in 1974. He attended college for a year at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and then the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, graduating with a Doctorate in Jurisprudence in 1981. He worked as a lawyer for eight years before entering Mt. Angel Seminary in 1988.

Fr. Sciumbato was ordained at the Cathedral of the Madeleine on June 25, 1994 by Bishop William K. Weigand. His fluency in Spanish and concern for the Hispanic community facilitated both his extensive pastoral ministry to this community and his assistance, especially to the poor, as an immigration lawyer.  

His first priestly assignment was at Saint Rose of Lima Parish, Layton, as parochial vicar, while also teaching at St. Joseph Catholic High School (1994 to 1996). Subsequently he was pastoral administrator of Saint Elizabeth Parish in Richfield (1996 to 1999); pastor at Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish in Price (1999 to 2002); pastor of Saint James the Just Parish, Ogden (2002 to 2003); and pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Orem (2007 to 2003).  

He served as chaplain for the Salt Lake Hospitals (2007 to 2008) before becoming pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Salt Lake City (2008 to 2011). He then served as pastor of Saint Ann Parish and Kearns-Saint Ann School (2017 to 2018). His final pastoral assignment was as pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Ogden and Saint Florence Mission, Huntsville (2018 to 2021).

Fr. Sciumbato was granted early retirement on July 28, 2021 for health issues and had been in residence in Salt Lake City since his retirement.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother, James (Laura); his sister, Linda Tsoufakis (Jim); and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

The viewing and vigil will be held on Monday, May 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 2315 East Redondo Ave., Salt Lake City.

The Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ambrose Catholic Church on Tuesday, May 7, at 11 a.m. The committal rite will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 275 U St, Salt Lake City.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Carmelite nuns of Salt Lake City; visit https://www.carmelslc.org/ for information.