CHARLESTON — Father Michael R. De Antonio, pastor of St. Paul, the Apostle Church in Spartanburg, died Aug. 12 while on vacation in Las Vegas, Nev. He was 58.
A wake was held at St. Paul, the Apostle Church Aug. 17. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Aug. 19, and interment was at Holy Cross Cemetery on James Island.
Father De Antonio was born Jan. 15, 1946, in Charleston, a son of the late Charles and Cecilia Ryan De Antonio. He attended Blessed Sacrament School and was a graduate of Bishop England High School, Saint Mary’s College in Saint Mary, Ky., and Christ the King Seminary in Saint Bonaventure, N.Y.
Father De Antonio was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Ernest L. Unterkoefler on May 1, 1971, at Blessed Sacrament Church.
During his ministry, the priest served as an associate at St. Mary Church in Greenville and St. Anthony Church in Florence. He was pastor at St. Mary Church in Hartsville, St. Joseph, the Worker Church in Darlington, St. Philip Benizi Church in Moncks Corner, Our Lady of Peace Church in Bonneau, and was administrator at Immaculate Conception Church in Goose Creek.
He also served as a chaplain in the United States Air Force for 10 years and attained the rank of captain.
Father De Antonio was a member of the College of Consultors for the Diocese of Charleston. He also served as dean of the Piedmont Deanery and as a member of the Priest Personnel Board and Presbyteral Council.
Father De Antonio is survived by his four brothers, Charles of McClellanville, David of Sullivan’s Island, Robert of Washington, D.C., and Stephen of Charleston, and several nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made to St. Paul, the Apostle Catholic Church Capital Campaign or Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Capital Campaign.