Deacon Carl S. Suswal, 86
Deacon Carl S. Suswal, described as a pillar of Holy Spirit Parish, Perth Amboy, died Jan. 25 at the age of 86 at Raritan Bay Medical Center, also Perth Amboy.
A funeral Mass was celebrated for Deacon Suswal at Holy Spirit Church, Perth Amboy, Jan. 27.
Deacon Suswal was ordained June 2, 1984 at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, Metuchen, by then Bishop Theodore E. McCarrick.
He had been retired from active ministry for several years, said Father John J. Barbella, pastor, Holy Spirit Parish.
Deacon Suswal was instrumental in getting Holy Spirit Parish started in the mid-1940s, Father Barbella said.
“He was a pillar of the parish, serving on various committees,” Father Barbella said.
Deacon Suswal was also a past president of the parish’s Holy Name Society and taught altar servers.
Deacon Suswal was very faithful in his ministry to the sick and several people who attended his wake had fond memories of his visits, Father Barbella said.
During pastoral visits to Deacon Suswal before his death, Father Barbella said he enjoyed talking about the parish’s old days.
“He had very fond memories of serving in the parish,” Father Barbella said.
Born March 23, 1920, Deacon Suswal lived in Perth Amboy his entire life. He graduated from Perth Amboy High School and Seton Hall University, South Orange. He served in the Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
Deacon Suswal was an eighth grade social studies teacher at Samuel E. Shull Middle School, Perth Amboy, for many years.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Edward Suswal and William Suswal. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Veronica (Svenda) Suswal of Perth Amboy; a brother, Stanley Suswal of Georgia; a sister, Helen De Zura of New Jersey; and a nephew, William Suswal and his wife, Carmella of North Carolina.
Internment was at St. Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia. Arrangements were made by Flynn and Son Funeral Homes, Perth Amboy. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Spirit Parish, c/o Flynn Charities program.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law