Father Joseph M. Stefanelli, S.M., was born on November 24, 1921 in Cincinnati, OH. He made his first profession of vows as a Marianist in 1940, an was ordained July 22, 1951 in Fribourg, Switzerland.
He entered into eternal life on August 16, 2018 and was the son of the late Michael and Cesarina (Cambi). Survived by his sister Ann Herking of Cincinnati and nieces Susan Herking and Diana Kruse. After his initial years of ministry as a high school teacher of history and English, Father Joe moved into a long tenure of formation ministry and leadership/administration including the General Administration in Rome and as Provincial of the Province of the Pacific from 1973 to 1981. As a scholar in Marianist studies, Father Joe was a founding member of the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS) in Dayton.
Memorials may be made to NACMS c/o Marianist Province of the U.S., 4425 West Pine Blvd., St. Louis, MO, 63108.