Obituary: Stefani, Monsignor Cornelio
Age 91
He was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest on June 27, 1948 in Pordenone, Italy where the entire family had moved after the war.
He arrived in the United States in 1955 where he served as a diocesan priest in the Diocese of Spokane.
He served in Spokane a few years, served as priest in Northport, was responsible for building the new church in Kettle Falls, served in Colfax for nine years, Dayton, and Waitsburg.
He returned to Italy in 1972 to care for his aging mother.
He was a father figure to the Pedro Pan children from Cuba.
He cared for 64 Cuban children in Colfax for four years in the early 1960s.
These children were sent to the United States by their families to distance them from the new Castro Regime.
They were parentless here until they could be placed with relatives, foster families, or until their parents could join them.
Father Stefani kept a loving, watchful eye on them.
Many still communicated with him and visited him in Italy up until his death.
Once back in Italy, he was the auxiliary chaplain on the US Air Force base in Aviano, Italy, he built assisted living homes in Pordenone, Italy and Cunsky, Croatia, both named Casa Betania (Bethany House).
He ran a mountain retreat in the summer months and built a church for summer tourists in Artatore, Croatia.
He was active as director of the Pordenone Bethany House up until a month before he died.
His family knew the best time to reach him was at 9am in his office and never to try at 3pm when he would be having his Italian afternoon riposo (nap).
He was a servant of God and His people his entire life and many love him and will miss him.
He is survived by siblings Armando Stefani, Federal Way, WA; Ezio Stefani, East Setauket, NY; Anita Della Valentina, Pordenone, Italy; eight nieces and nephews including Isabella Stefani Doxon from Spokane/Des Moines, WA, and nine grandnieces and nephews.
His brother Luciano Stefani preceded him in death.
Funeral services were Sunday, September 6, 2015 at Cristo Re Catholic church in Pordenone, Italy.
Memorial gifts may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1018 S. Main St., Colfax, WA 99111.