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Father Fata’s “ultimate compliment”
BOARDMAN
The Rev. Joseph Fata, 74, of Boardman not only left behind family and friends after his death Monday morning, but he also left behind his mission to unify people by their faith for his parishioners to carry out.
Rose Carter, the Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods – ACTION – executive director and lead organizer, said Father Fata was “one of the greatest leaders” in the community and in his position as clergy caucus with ACTION.
ACTION is an ecumenical coalition dedicated to breaking down racial barriers and various other divides to unite communities by faith.
“He brought black and white together. He brought Hispanic and Latinos together. He brought Protestants ... together. We socialized every month to have a clergy breakfast to be more diverse,” Carter said. “This was what he called for, and he was just a true leader. ... I loved him as a leader of ACTION, as a good friend and as a mentor.”
The Rev. Ed Noga, pastor of St. Patrick Church in Youngstown, said there will definitely be a loss without Father Fata, who was always interested in being a part of anything uplifting for the city of Youngstown.
“I admired him,” Father Noga said. “He was my mentor because he just had this way of finding a place for anyone and everyone. He was a consummate delegator in the good sense and found people’s strengths and used them.”
Carter said although ACTION won’t ever be the same without him, the group will continue to carry out its mission and “faith-based leaders will continue working against racism.”
“He will be remembered by his wisdom and his loving kindness and justice for all his diversity,” she said.
Father Noga said it will be bittersweet to have ACTION and the parish continue on without Father Fata, but seeing the organization move forward in this difficult time is the “ultimate compliment” to Father Fata.
Calling hours for Father Fata will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at St. Luke Church, 5235 South Ave., Boardman, and a funeral Mass will take place the same day at 7 p.m. at the church.
The interment will take place at 9 a.m. Thursday at Bear Hollow Cemetery in Lisbon.