Diocesan priest leaves $650,000 legacy to assist retired priests

Published: 2005-05-19

JOLIET, Ill. (CNS) -- A deceased priest of the Joliet Diocese left a $650,000 legacy to assist retired fellow priests of the Illinois diocese. Father Salvatore Giunta, who died last August at the age of 76, had accrued most of the funds from investing money he inherited. As specified in his will, funds were set aside for the supplementary needs of retired priests in Joliet. Bishop Joseph L. Imesch of Joliet accepted a check April 27 at the chancery in Joliet from Antoinette Harrison, the deceased priest's sister. Other family members, as well as the late priest's financial and legal representatives, also attended. "God bless him," the bishop said. "It's a very generous gift." Ordained in 1954, Father Giunta served in several suburban parishes and was the founding pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Addison.

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