Rev. Paul J. Antos, 86

A funeral Mass was offered Oct. 4 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Schenectady, for Rev. Paul Antos, who died Sept. 29. He was 86 and had been a priest of the Albany Diocese for 59 years.

A native of Schenectady, he was a chaplain in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, serving all over the world, from Antarctica to Japan and Vietnam. In the Albany Diocese, he served as associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament parish in Hague, St. Joseph's in Green Island, St. Francis de Sales in Herkimer and Sacred Heart in Lake George. He was then pastor of Immaculate Conception parish in Watervliet until his retirement in 2002.

Of all his priesthood experiences, Father Antos' memories of military service never left him. "My most memorable moments were administering sacraments to the sick and wounded and assisting the families of the casualties," he remarked in 2004, adding: "I highly recommend the priesthood to other men so that they may come to know and be excited about the faith of others. My experience in the priesthood has been most positive in having had the privilege of spreading Word and sacrament to so many."

Over six decades of priesthood, Father Antos traveled around the world and the Diocese. Now, he is surely back home in the arms of his Father in heaven. Survivors include a brother, Frank, of Queensbury. Interment was in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Schenectady.[[In-content Ad]]