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Deacon Noel Vivaldi dies at 83

Catholic Herald Staff Report

Deacon Noel Vivaldi served St. Leo Church in Fairfax and St. Philip Church in Falls Church. FILE

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Deacon Noel Vivaldi, assigned to St. Leo the Great Church in
Fairfax, died June 17. He was 83.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered June 23 at 1 p.m. at
St. Leo the Great, 3700 Old Lee Hwy., Fairfax.

Deacon Vivaldi was born Dec. 18, 1934, in Puerto Rico. He was
raised and educated in Mayaguez, where he attended Immaculate Conception
Academy. He earned his bachelor’s in fine arts in 1957 from Syracuse University
in Syracuse, N.Y.

He worked as a public information officer for the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development.

He was ordained to the permanent diaconate by Bishop John R.
Keating May 23, 1987. He was assigned to St. Philip Church in Falls Church
(1987-2008) and assisted at St. Rita Church in Alexandria (2002-03). He was
assigned to St. Leo the Great in 2008. 

Deacon Vivaldi is preceded in death by his wife, Carmen Maria
Gavilari, and survived by five children.

A fellow deacon at St. Leo, Deacon José Lopez worked with Deacon
Vivaldi for many years. “He loved his family very much and did everything for
his five children,” said Deacon Lopez. “He (also) was very devoted to his
vocation.”

Deacon Vivaldi was a member of the Spanish Cursillo Movement and started
the food pantry program at St. Philip.

There was no time in the day that was off limits to call Deacon
Vivaldi. “Every time we called him he was always open to say ‘yes’ and help
you,” said Father José E. Hoyos, diocesan director of the Spanish Apostolate.
“He always had 24 hours available to help others.”

Father Hoyos said Deacon Vivaldi was a happy man and good
counselor. “We sent a lot of couples to him. He gave good advice,” Father Hoyos
said. “I admired him because he was humble and faithful to the church.”

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