Reverend J. Francis Frazer
Waynesburg
Reverend J. Francis Frazer, 77, of Waynesburg, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2026 in Mon Health Medical Center, Morgantown, W.Va., following a brief illness. He was born July 29, 1949 in Beaver Falls, a son of the late James Edwin and Margaret Kretzler Frazer.
In his youth, Father Francis attended elementary school at St. Joseph and graduated from New Brighton High School in 1967. He entered priestly formation at Saint Paul Seminary and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, in 1971. He continued his education and in 1974 received his Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe.
Father Francis was ordained May 3, 1975 by Bishop Vincent M. Leonard at Saint Paul Cathedral, Pittsburgh and Incardinated into the Diocese of Pittsburgh that same day.
He began his service as Parochial Vicar to several Parishes in the Pittsburgh and Beaver Falls areas from 1975 to 1999. That same year he became Pastor of Saint Valentine Parish in Bethel Park, until he moved to the small town of Clarksville as Administrator and Pastor of St. Thomas Parish.
Shortly after he moved to Waynesburg, for the next 20 years he would call Greene County home. Until his recent illness, he served as Senior Parochial Vicar to the people he so loved throughout the worship sites of the now Saint Matthias Parish.
Outside of his home Parish, Father Francis served as Confessor at McGuire Memorial Home, Campus Ministry at Geneva College, Chaplain for Knights of Columbus – Fourth Degree Archbishop Canevin Assembly, and Chaplain for State Correctional Institution – Greene.
Mission work has been central to Father Francis’ ministry. He made trips to Guatemala to pray with and support the Nutritional Center and Home for Children in Patzun, which Saint Ann and Saint Matthias Parish has supported since 1991. There, he formed lasting bonds with the Franciscan Sisters and the children, sponsored students at graduation and sent letters of encouragement to a boy as he grew into a young man. One trip’s highlight was being invited to join the local clergy in the Feast of Corpus Christi celebration. He helped carry the Eucharist in a monstrance during a procession through town, over alfombras-brightly colored, ornate sawdust carpets-as thousands of people gathered along the route. After the 2016 flood in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., Father Francis made several trips with parishioners to help with relief and rebuilding efforts and to offer prayers of support as well as many mission trips to Kentucky.
Father Francis is survived by a brother, Raymond Frazer of Pittsburgh; aunt, Sister Doris Kretzler; and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and cousins.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, are a brother, James Albert Frazer; and two sisters, Doris Frazer and Sister Margaret “Margie” Frazer.
Family and friends are welcome from 12 noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, September 9, in St. Marcellus Church, Jefferson, where a Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 1 p.m., with the Bishop Mark A. Eckman and Bishop David A. Zubik as concelebrants. An evening prayer service will be held Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., with the Rev. Al McGinnis. Interment will be private at St. Joseph Cemetery, New Brighton.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Catholic Charities of Greene County, 72 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370, Guatemala Mission Group, 232 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370; or the McGuire Memorial Home, 2119 Mercer Road, New Brighton, PA 15066.
Arrangements are entrusted to the PAUL M. LESAKO FUNERAL HOME, INC., Carmichaels, Paul M. Lesako, supervisor, and Aaron S. Walker, funeral director.
To send condolences or sign the guest book for the family, please visit www.lesakofh.com