Father ‘Joe’ Coda, oldest priest, and life of the party dies at 103
Father Joseph F. Coda, the oldest priest in the Archdiocese of Newark, died Sunday at the age of 103. The jovial priest, known to family and friends as Father Joe, will be remembered for his comedic timing, singing voice, loyalty to friends, and love for his family.
“We go when God calls us,” Father Coda told The Catholic Advocate in 2018 when he turned 100. “Nobody picks their own time.”
But that time came too soon for Rosemary Petrocelli, one of his nieces, who fought tears as she reflected on her uncle in a phone conversation with Jersey Catholic this week.
“He was just a great, great man and a great person,” Petrocelli said. “It was unbelievable that he was going to go. Even at the very end, we thought he would be with us forever.”
Petrocelli, a hairdresser from Cliffside Park, was very close to her “Uncle Joe.” The two laughed and joked during regular haircut visits, lunch with the family, or lengthy phone conversations.
“I would talk to him on the phone until the point where he wasn’t able to speak or hear because his hearing aids go on and off,” Petrocelli said.
Uncle Joe was the life of the party at large family gatherings, where he sang arias and made everyone erupt in laughter.
“He was funny,” Petrocelli said. “All he did was tell jokes. He was a happy man. He was a special, special person and touched everybody’s life so sweetly. Even my nieces and nephews knew him very well.”
When Father Coda, who studied music at The Juilliard School in New York City, could no longer sing at family get-togethers, one of Petrocelli’s nieces or nephews – also trained opera singers – took over the role.
Father Coda was one of seven brothers and a sister and left behind 20 nieces and nephews. He was a beloved member of the family who celebrated their baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
Petrocelli recalled her uncle’s traditional saying after the meal blessing at their family parties: “Mangia. Costa Niente,” he would say in Italian, which translates: “Eat. It doesn’t cost anything.”
“He was just the best,” she said. “He’s been with us forever, and now it’s his turn. It’s a big loss for us even though he was 103. But he is where he wanted to be.”
Father Coda also continued to receive visits from parishioners when he retired, and he maintained many friendships with brother priests. No matter who he was around, there was plenty of laughter.
“He knew how to deliver the punch line,” said Father Stanley Gomes of his good friend. “Father Joe knew how to speak, how to sing, and then how to tell a joke in such a way that everybody would laugh even though it was repeated at times.”
Father Stanley, who is the director of the Archdiocese of Newark’s Ministry to Retired Priests, lived with Father Coda. The two became well acquainted during their years together in residence and especially during car rides to medical appointments.
“He had many, many friends because of his sense of humor, loyalty to friends, and he was a jovial kind of guy,” Father Stanley said. “You liked to be around him because he would let you laugh, and then he would also laugh with you and then talk about different things and then burst into singing. His company was always a pleasure. He was an entertainer. He was absolutely a great guy.”
Father Coda was a decorated war veteran, serving three years in the U.S. Army during WWII, where he earned a Bronze Star. He was in the Third Army commanded by General George S. Patton and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Father Coda narrowly escaped death numerous times while serving his country overseas.
“One day, a colonel comes into his barracks and asks if anyone can cook, and so he became assistant to the cook and later on became a cook at some point during the war,” Father Stanley said.
Father Coda had learned his way around food while working at his dad’s deli in Hoboken after school.
He also served as a sacristan when the Army chaplains noticed how prayerful Father Coda was.
“He was very devotional,” Father Stanley said.
One of the chaplain’s names was Father Charlie, and so Father Coda couldn’t resist putting a sign on the priest’s Jeep that read, “Charlie Chaplain.” This was a nod to the famous comedian Charlie Chaplin.
When Father Coda returned home after the war, his call to the priesthood grew louder. He trained in The Juilliard School and was a church cantor singing hymns in Latin during Mass and at funerals.
“He had a great, strong voice,” Father Stanley said. “His pronunciation was impeccable. He loved singing, and people loved his singing.”
He entered Immaculate Conception Seminary, where he continued singing in the choir and spreading his joy, and he was ordained by Archbishop Thomas A. Boland, S.T.D., LL.D. in 1963 at the age of 44.
Following ordination, Father Coda served as parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish in Oradell and New Milford for 10 years. He was then assigned as parochial vicar at St. Theresa in Kenilworth, where he served until retiring in 1988 on his 70th birthday. He continued to assist in parishes.
“I always wanted to be a parish priest,” Father Coda said in 2018. “I enjoyed being among the parishioners and the community. They were always so helpful and supportive when you did anything for them.”
Featured image: Father Joseph F. Coda, left, is pictured with Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., in 2018.
