Rev. Nicholas Persich

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Rev. Nicholas Eugene Persich, 83, of Perryville died Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005, at Perry County Memorial Hospital.

He was born Feb. 4, 1922, in New Orleans, La., son of Nicholas Salvador and Gladys Ida Fricken Persich.

Persich was a Vincentian priest. He entered novitiate Sept. 7, 1938, professed vows Sept. 8, 1940, ordained a deacon Sept. 27, 1945, and ordained a priest May 30, 1946, all at St. Mary's of the Barrens Catholic Church in Perryville.

He received degrees in philosophy and theology at St. Mary's Seminary in Perryville. He was in Rome, Italy, from 1947 to 1949, where he received a Ph.D. in theology.

Persich's assignments included Denver, Colo., St. Louis, Lemont, Ill., and he had been at St. Mary's of the Barrens since 1996.

Survivors include a sister, Anna Persich of Metairie, La.; and two brothers, the Rev. Roy Persich of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Dr. Donald Persich of Metairie.

He was preceded in death by a brother.

Friends may call at St. Mary's of the Barrens from 9 a.m. to time of Mass today.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. today at the church. The Rev. James Swift will officiate. Burial will be in Vincentian Community Cemetery.