Rev. Xavier Elambassery, 84, of Latrobe, passed away Friday, July 9, 2021 at Excela Health Latrobe Hospital.

Born September 12, 1936 in Vaikam, India, he was a son of the late Mathew Ouseph and Thresiamma Mathew Muriamvely.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph Mathew (Aniamma Nilapana), and Thomas Mathew; two sisters, Annakutty Thomas (Thomas Chathukulam), and Thresiamma Jochan; and a brother-in-law, Varghese Polachirayil.

Father Xavier is survived by two sisters, Sister Elisabeth Elambassery SABS, and Marykutty Varghese; one brother, Dr. Sebastian Mathew (Mary Narithookil); sister-in-law Mariakutty Maliyil; brother-in-law Prof. Jochan Paruthiparambil; niece and nephews, Jose Mathew, Gigi Liju, Dr. Jose Chathukulam, Dr. Sabu Thomas, Reji Philip, Raju Thomas, Anil Thomas, Bijimol Sony, Raju Varghese, Sibi Varghese, Simi Stanly, Sibu Jochan, Deni Jochan, Dr. Gisela Gragger, Mag. Robert Mathew MA, Dr. Erwin Mathew; and his caregiver, Mary Jo Verbanick of Homestead.

Father Xavier came to the United States in 1980 and served in the Diocese of Pittsburgh as Pastor of St. Mary Magdalene Roman Catholic Church in Homestead before transfering to the Ukrainian Catholic Church. Fr. Xavier was an associate Pastor at Holy Trinity in Carnegie. Before to his retirement, Father Xavier had been the Pastor at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, Latrobe, and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, New Alexandria, from 1988 to 2012. He also spent many years as a meditation instructor and loved studying the connection between the body and the mind. He earned a Masters degree from Duquesne University and his Doctorate in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. His warm personality and enthusiastic charm endeared him to his parishioners and friends and made him a “celebrity” at his summer festivals held at his church in Latrobe.

At Father Xavier’s request, there will be no public visitations or services.

May Father +Xavier’s Memory be Eternal! Вічная Пам’ять!