ST. LOUIS — Father Sylvano Pera, OFM, died Feb. 6 at St. Louis University Hospital. A retired priest of the Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart, St. Louis, he was just a few days away from his 92nd birthday.
He was born Feb. 10, 1926 in Memphis, the son of Louis J. and Ida (Pisani) Pera. Father Sylvano entered the Franciscan Order July 4, 1945 and was ordained a priest June 24, 1952 in Teutopolis by Bishop William A. O’Connor.
He served as a formation director, teacher and pastor. Father Sylvano was a pastor for many parishes in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, including St. Rose of Lima, Montrose; St. Aloysius, Bishop Creek; Immaculate Conception, Dieterich; St. Joseph, Island Grove; St. Elizabeth, Marine; St. Gertrude, Grantfork; St. James, St. Jacob; St. Norbert, Hardin; St. Michael, Michael; St. Anselm, Kampsville; and St. Agnes, Belleview. He was also parochial vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes in Decatur in 1999 and then was parochial administer at St. Mary Help of Christians in Effingham (Green Creek) and Sacred Heart in Lillyville. During his later years he served as sacramental priest at Sacred Heart in Effingham and also in supply ministry. He lived in community at St. Francis of Assisi in Teutopolis from 2007-2013, but regularly traveled to small parishes for both weekend and weekday Masses. He then lived for several years at St. Clare’s Friary in Alton.
He was known as a great friend to those with disabilities. For many years, Father Sylvano celebrated the closing Mass at Family Camp, a camp held for people with disabilities and their family members at Lake Williamson Christian Conference Center in Carlinville.
Father Sylvano was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Louis Pera Jr., Teresa Posey and Robert Pera.
He is survived by niece Alice Gunn and nephew Patrick Posey and his fellow Franciscans.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Anthony of Padua Church in St. Louis on Feb. 12, with burial following in Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery in St. Louis. A Memorial Mass was celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church in Montrose on Feb. 26.