SUNNY HILLS, Fla. — Rev. Msgr. Norman G. Metsy, 89, Senior Priest of the Diocese of Providence, died Jan. 23 in Sunny Hills.
Born in Pawtucket, a son of the late Tofik and Sadie (Kayata) Metsy, he attended St. Basil and Sacred Heart schools in Central Falls, St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, and St. Charles College in Catonsville, Md. He completed studies for the priesthood at St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, Md., and was ordained a priest on May 31, 1947 in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence, by Bishop Francis P Keough.
After a brief summer assignment at St. Bernard Church, Wickford, Father Metsy was appointed assistant pastor at Our Lady of Mercy Church, East Greenwich in October 1947 and remained there until he became a chaplain in the United States Air Force on January 5, 1953. He served in various posts in the United States and overseas until his retirement in August 1980 with the rank of Colonel. After leaving the Air Force, Father Metsy attended the School of Theology in Berkeley, California, and in April 1982 he was appointed by the Vatican Secretariat of State as deputy director of “Notre Dame Jerusalem Center” in Jerusalem, Israel, in charge of English-speaking pilgrims. In January 1984 he was appointed Chaplain of His Holiness with the title of Reverend Monsignor.
Returning from Jerusalem in May 1984, Msgr. Metsy offered his priestly services during the summer months in various churches throughout the diocese such as St. Clare, Misquamicut; and St. Veronica’s Chapel in Narragansett. From September through the spring he assisted at St. Dominic Church, Panama City, Florida, until recently.
Msgr. Metsy was the brother of the late Margaret Metsy and Mary Ferry, both of Pawtucket. He is survived by a niece and three nephews.
A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of his soul at St. Basil Church, Lincoln, Feb. 13, at 10 a.m. with Bishop Francis X. Roque as the main celebrant and homilist and Bishops Robert C. Evans and Louis E. Gelineau concelebrating. A visiting hour before Mass will begin at 9 a.m. Burial will be at Mt. Cavalry Cemetery.
