Brother Placid Cremonese, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died Monday, November 1, 2004. Born in Greensburg on March 2, 1914, he was a son of the late Vincenzo and Anna Gloria Cremonese.
He was one of thirteen children. He is survived by a brother, Gerald Cremonese and his wife Olive of Albuquerque, New Mexico; a sister, Josephine Kozak and her husband Andrew of Greensburg; his nephew Father Dominic J. Petroy, O.S.B., also a member of the Saint Vincent monastic community, and many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
He was preceded in death by ten brothers and sisters, Antoinette Cremonese, Gaetano Cremonese, Ann Macko, Joseph Cremonese, Mary Petroy, Salvatore Cremonese, Nicholas Cremonese, Louis Cremonese, Thelma Sofranko and Isabella DeBone.
He attended the Sixth Ward School, Greensburg, and entered the Benedictine Monastic Community of Saint Vincent Archabbey in 1940. He made simple profession of vows on February 2, 1942, and solemn profession of vows in 1964.
Brother Placid served the monastic community in the laundry and at the dairy farm (1940–42), as night watchman (1942–43), as the harness repairman and caretaker of the courtyard lawns (1942–50), as the shoemaker and baker of the famous Saint Vincent Bread (1942–67), and as bellringer (1944–50). From 1942 until his retirement he was the barber for the monastic community. He was best known as a baker of the famous Saint Vincent Bread, which was a staple in the Saint Vincent and Latrobe area community until a fire destroyed the bakery in 1963. He was also cellist for the College and Community Symphony Orchestra (1960-1964). He played the harmonica, organ, mandolin, guitar and cello.
He published the following articles for Confluence magazine: “Mother Nature Offers Best Tranquilizers,” “Saint Vincent Bread,” “Our Mother Mary,” “What Do the Brothers Want,” “Environment,” and “Report on Christ’s Personality.”
Brother Placid’s body will be received at the Elizabeth Roderick Center, Saint Vincent Archabbey, on Tuesday, November 2, at 3:00 P.M. Viewing will be held in the parlor of the Elizabeth Roderick Center from 3-5 P.M. and 7-9 P.M. on Tuesday, and 3-5 on Wednesday. A wake service will be held in Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica at 7:15 P.M. on Wednesday, November 3, after which Br. Placid’s body will lie in state in the Basilica until 9 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica on Thursday, November 4, at 10:30 A.M. Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., will be the principal celebrant and Father Martin Bartel, O.S.B., will be the homilist.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Benedictine Health and Education Fund at Saint Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650.
