Rev. Victor Buebendorf, 'a priest for the people,' dies at 77

Rev. Victor Buebendorf, 2014

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Rev. Victor J. Buebendorf, 77, of Rosebank, administrator of St. Mary's R.C. Church and St. Joseph's R.C. Church in Rosebank and Immaculate Conception R.C. Church in Stapleton, who will be remembered for his compassion, genuine humility and his remarkable homilies, died Friday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze.

Born in Port Richmond, he moved with his family to Tottenville as a boy and was educated at Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady Help of Christians schools. His call to the priesthood came early, and he attended Cathedral Preparatory Seminary in Manhattan.

His religious education continued at St. Joseph's Seminary in Dunwoodie, N.Y. After being ordained in May 1964, he was assigned to St. Joseph of the Holy Family R.C. Church in Manhattan's Harlem neighborhood, and helped shepherd his church and the community in a time of racial tension in the city.

Father Buebendorf returned to the Island in 1971 as associate pastor of St. Charles R.C. Church in Oakwood, and remained there until 1985. He then became associate pastor of Holy Child R.C. Church in Eltingville, and in 1990 was appointed administrator of the parish.

He did a brief stint at Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church in West Brighton before becoming administrator of St. Mary's in Rosebank in April 1991, and soon after was appointed St. Mary's pastor, a post he held for three terms.

Father Buebendorf had reached retirement age, but, active and vibrant, he was named administrator of St. Mary's, St. Joseph's and Immaculate Conception in lieu of retirement.

Affectionately called "Father Vic," he celebrated his 50th anniversary as a priest in May 2014, at a mass in St. Mary's honoring his service.

"He was truly a priest for the people," said Monsignor James Dorney, co-vicar of Staten Island and pastor emeritus of St. Peter's R.C. Church, New Brighton. "People loved him because he was always there for them. He never thought of himself, he was always thinking of others and putting their well-being first. And he was highly respected by those he worked with."

A member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, Father Buebendorf loved classical and religious music. He also enjoyed traveling. But he most enjoyed the company of his family and his parishioners.

Surviving are his brother, James; his sisters, Mary Pettella, Gerry Panayides and Anne Baker; 15 nieces and nephews, and 17 grandnieces and grandnephews.

Father Buebendorf will be waked in St. Mary's Church on Monday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., and a Mass of the Eucharist will be offered Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. On Wednesday at 10 a.m., a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbiship of New York. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Grasmere. Arrangements are being handled by the Martin Hughes Funeral Home, Concord.

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