PROVIDENCE — Father Antonio M. Paiva, 92, Pastor Emeritus of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Providence, died on April 9, 2018.
Born in Provoação, Sao Miguel, Azores, son of the late José and Ermelinda Bulhão, Father Paiva attended primary school in Provoação. In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at the Seminary of Angra in Terceira, Azores, and at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore. He was ordained a priest on June 11, 1949 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence by Bishop Russell J. McVinney.
Father Paiva served as assistant pastor in the following parishes: St. Anthony Parish, Pawtucket (1949-1964); St. Francis Xavier Parish, East Providence (1964-1966); and St. Anthony Parish, West Warwick (1966-1972). In 1972, he was appointed pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Providence, and remained there until his retirement as Pastor Emeritus on June 30, 2001. In addition to his parish duties, Father served also as Dean (Vicar Forane) of Deanery Three (1978-80).
During his retirement, Father Paiva resided at Our Lady of the Rosary Rectory and in his later years, with his niece, Noemia Botelho, and her family.
A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial was offered on April 14, 2018 at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Providence with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin as the main celebrant. Bishop Louis E. Gelineau and other priests concelebrated. Father Joseph Escobar served as the homilist. Burial was in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Providence.
