Father Ronald J. Moratelli, 84, of Mount Carmel, passed away peacefully at his residence on October 3, 2025.
Born in Mount Carmel on September 22, 1941, he was the son of the late James J. Moratelli, Sr., and Clara (Grybos) Moratelli.
Father Moratelli was a graduate of St. Peter’s School and Mount Carmel Catholic High School, Class of 1959. He continued his education at St. Mary’s College in St. Mary, Kentucky, and at the Glastonbury Latin School Seminary in Hingham, Massachusetts. He later attended Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
On May 24, 1969, Father Moratelli was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Harrisburg at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg. Throughout his ministry, he faithfully served in numerous parish assignments across the Diocese. His service included appointments as assistant pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Shamokin; St. Patrick Parish, York; Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Harrisburg; Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Lancaster; and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Lebanon.
He later served as administrator and pastor of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Fairfield and St. Rita Parish in Blue Ridge Summit; as associate pastor at St. Columba Parish, Bloomsburg; parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Mount Carmel; chaplain to the Carmelite Monastery, Elysburg; and pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Quarryville. Father Moratelli retired from active ministry in June 2012.
He is survived by his sister, Carol Fitzgerald; a sister-in-law, Joanne Moratelli; as well as nieces, nephews, one great-niece, and one great-nephew. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, James J. Moratelli, Jr.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 10, at 11 a.m. with Bishop Ronald W. Gainer as celebrant, Father Jonathan P. Sawicki (Master of Ceremonies), Father Martin O. Moran III (Homilist), Msgr. Francis Karwacki (Eulogist), Father Bernard Wamayose, A.J., Father Francis Tamburro, and classmate, Father Patrick Devine, concelebrating in Divine Redeemer Church, 300 West Ave., Mount Carmel. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Mount Carmel Twp.
A viewing will be held on Thursday evening, October 9, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. and Friday morning from 9 a.m.-10:45 a.m. in Divine Redeemer Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Development Office, 16300 Old Emmitsburg Rd., Emmitsburg, MD 21727.
