Former Brothers of Mercy chaplain Father John J. Sardina died April 30, 2025, just three days shy of his 93rd birthday.
Born May 3, 1932, the son of Pasquale and Maria (Provenzano) Sardina, attended Buffalo public schools before entering the Diocesan Preparatory Seminary, and later Christ the King Seminary in Olean.
He was ordained March 12, 1960, at St. Joseph’s New Cathedral in Buffalo by Bishop Joseph Burke.
After a year as administrator of St. Jude Mission in Sardinia, Father Sardina was appointed assistant pastor at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Buffalo. He served in the same position at Our Lady of Pompeii Parish, Lancaster; Holy Cross Parish, Buffalo; and Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Buffalo. In the fall of 1977, Father Sardina took leave to study at St. Joseph Seminary in Dunwoodie. He received his first pastorate at Holy Cross Parish in November 1977. He would go on to serve as administrator and later pastor at St. Anthony Parish in Fredonia.
In 1987, he was appointed chaplain for the Brothers of Mercy. He also assisted at Our Lady of Peace in Clarence and Queen of Martyrs in Cheektowaga at this time.
Family will receive friends Sunday, May 4, from 1-4 p.m. at the Shepherd Brothers (Pacer) Funeral Home, 2275 George Urban Blvd. He will lie-in-repose on Monday, May 5, from 9-10 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church, 10950 Main Street, Clarence, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Bishop Michael W. Fisher will be the main celebrant.