Father Edward C. Metzger

Father Edward C. Metzger, 78, a professed Franciscan friar for 57 years and a priest for 52 years, died July 25 at St. Anthony’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Fr. Metzger was born Sept. 10, 1932, in Brooklyn, N.Y., son of Alphonse and Mary (nee Harkins) Metzger. He attended St. Joseph Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y. and on Aug. 12, 1952, he was received into the Order in Paterson, N.J. He earned a bachelor’s in philosophy from St. Bonaventure University, and in 1955, moved to St. Anthony Friary in Butler, N.J., for his first year theological studies. He professed solemn vows on Aug. 19, 1956, at Christ the King Seminary in Allegany, N.Y. and completed his theological studies at Holy Name College in Washington, D.C. and earned a master’s degree in history from St. Bonaventure University in 1958. On April 25, 1959, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Philip Hannon, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, at Mount Saint Sepulchre in Washington, D.C.

Following his ordination, Fr. Metzger devoted himself largely to the ministry of education. He taught at various schools in New York and Ohio. In addition, he served as parochial vicar at parishes in New York and New Jersey before volunteering as a confessor, for one year, at St. John Lateran in Rome, Italy.

Returning to the United States in 1974, he continued to teach while earning additional advanced degrees. He assisted at various parishes in New York while completing his Ph.D. in history in 1983. Afterward, his assignments included serving as parochial vicar at Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Salt Lake City until 2003 and administrator of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish in Helper, Utah until 2010. In addition, from 2000 to 2001, he volunteered as a English-speaking confessor for the Holy Land Custody in Nazareth, Israel. He retired from active ministry in February 2011 at St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg, Fla.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated July 29 at St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Church, St. Petersburg, Fla. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Clearwater, Fla.

Fr. Metzger is survived by his brother Joseph and his wife Joan, of Third Lake, Ill; two nieces and a nephew.

Memorial contributions can be made to: The Franciscans – St. Anthony’s Guild, 4 Jersey St., East Rutherford N.J. 07073-1012.