Rev. John Cantore

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Rev. John A. Cantore, 80, of Perryville died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014, at St. Mary's of the Barrens in Perryville.

He was born April 25, 1934, in Melrose Place, Illinois, son of Anthony Joseph and Marie Ann Steger Cantore.

Fr. John entered the internal seminary Sept. 14, 1956, and took vows Sept. 15, 1961, at St. Mary's of the Barrens. He completed philosophy and theology at St. Mary's of the Barrens and was ordained a priest at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Chicago on Aug. 15, 1963.

After ordination he continued his studies in math and taught high school at St. John's Seminary from 1963 to 1970, St. Louis Prep Seminary from 1971 to 1973 and St. Vincent de Paul High School Seminary from 1973 to 1987. From 1987 to 1991 he was in parish ministry in Palos Heights, Illinois, and Chaffee, Missouri. In 1991, Fr. John began chaplaincy work for Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau and continued there until 2006. In August 2006, he became a confere in care at the Barrens.

In his last years, Fr. John was committed to the Apostle of Prayer Ministry at the Barrens until he felt he could no longer participate satisfactorily. Since the summer of 2011, growing dementia and other health issues have dominated his life. Fr. John is now free of these. May he rest in peace.

Survivors include one sister, Marie Sherlin; one niece, Angela Loveless; and one nephew, Patrick Sherlin, all of Bayview, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until the time of the wake at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mary Mother of God Chapel at St. Mary's of the Barrens. Visitation will continue from 9 a.m. until time of service Saturday at the chapel.

A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the chapel. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.

Memorials are preferred to Congregation of the Missions.

Young & Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Perryville provided the arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at youngandsonsfuneral.com.