Rectory fire in Rockford claims life of priest's father

Published: 2004-04-29

ROCKFORD, Ill. (CNS) -- An afternoon fire in the rectory at St. Bernadette Church in Rockford April 25 took the life of the elderly father of the pastor, Father John Stringini. John Stringini Sr., 84, was found dead in the two-story building just outside his room on the first floor of the rectory, where he lived with his wife and son and the associate pastor, Father Pierre Polycarpe. An autopsy was performed April 26 to determine whether smoke or burns caused the death. The results were not yet available. The priest's mother, 83-year-old Anne Stringini, was pulled alive from the burning building by her son but suffered smoke inhalation. She was transported to Rockford Memorial Hospital, across the street from the church. She received initial treatment there and was later transferred to a Milwaukee hospital to receive special treatment for carbon monoxide ingestion.

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