Obituary
Reverend John Francis Turi

Reverend John Francis Turi, Pastor Emeritus of Saint Joseph Church, Matamoras, died on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at the Hospice of the Sacred Heart Inpatient Unit having faithfully served the Diocese of Scranton for seventy years.

Father Turi, son of the late Martin A. and Florence Walsh Turi, was born April 20, 1929 in Scranton, PA. Father attended Saint Patrick’s from Grade school through High School in Scranton.  He attended Saint Bonaventure University in New York receiving his B.A. in Philosophy in 1951.  Father Turi then entered Christ the King Seminary in St. Bonaventure, Olean, New York where he received his Theology Degree in 1955.  He also received a Master of Science Degree in Education from Marywood University in 1983.  Father Turi was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1955, in Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton, by the Most Reverend Jerome D. Hannan, D.D., late Bishop of Scranton

         Father Turi’s first assignment was as an assistant pastor at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Bear Creek in 1955, he then served as assistant pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Scranton.  In 1958 he was appointed Chaplain of Mercy Hospital in Scranton and served in that capacity till 1964 when he became assistant pastor of St. Ann’s in Tobyhanna.  Father Turi then returned to Mercy Hospital in Scranton to serve his second stint as Chaplain where he remained until he was appointed to his first pastorate at Saint Joseph’s in White Mills in 1971.  Father Turi then became pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish, Matamoras in 1975 where he remained until his retirement and appointment as pastor emeritus on July 6, 2004. 

Father Turi also served as the chaplain to the Knights of Columbus at Honesdale Council #363 in 1973.

Father is survived by several nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by a sister Rose Marie Roche and husband AJ; brothers Martin Turi & Sebastian Turi and wife Ann Marie.

Viewings will take place Friday January 2nd 2026 from 5 to 7 pm and Saturday January 3rd 2026 2026 from 9 – 10 am in St. Patrick’s Church, 1403 Jackson St., Scranton. Vespers will be celebrated Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the church.

A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, on Saturday January 3rd, 2026 at 10 am in St. Patrick’s Church, 1403 Jackson St., Scranton. Interment will follow in Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Center, 2010 Adams Ave, Scranton, PA 18509, stjosephscenter.org/donations/.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Solfanelli-Fiorillo Funeral Home Inc., 1030 N. Main Ave., Scranton.

Please visit the funeral home website to leave an online condolence.