COLON, Rev. Fr. Vincent A.
passed away on February 28th, 2016 to the arms of the Lord he served so devoutly and faithfully for over sixty-five years. At his last moments of life, he was surrounded by the people who loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents Juan J. “Jimmy” and Florence M. Colon; his brothers Earl and Vernon and his sisters Dolores Meyer, Shirley Hayes and Joan Tucker. Two siblings remain, brother Martin and Patty Crane of Minneapolis and Naples FL, his sister Patricia Gamache and brother-in-law Warren of Brainerd, MN; sister-in-law Virginia Colon of Mendota Heights, MN; and many nieces and nephews. Fr. Colon attended St. Adalbert Parochial, Nazareth Hall for four years and the St. Paul Seminary for two years of philosophy and four years of theology. He was ordained into the priesthood on June 3rd, 1950.

Fr. Vince served many parishes throughout his career, beginning at St. Peter’s Parish in Richfield and continuing to the Church of The Holy Cross due to his Polish extraction, St. Mary’s in Shakopee & Our Lady of Victory. After serving as Administrator of St. Timothy’s parish in Maple Lake in 1965, he had his first pastoral appointment to St. Genevieve in Centerville. He continued to serve at St. Peter’s Church in Forest Lake, Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights, Holy Spirit Parish in St. Paul.

He loved liturgy and spent much time preparing his sermons. He studied at Notre Dame and took a sabbatical in Rome where he was able to shake hands with Pope John Paul II. In 1993, after nine years at Our Lady of Victory, he retired. Throughout retirement, he would fill in for Sunday masses when needed. In 1995, he was filling in for Fr. Cody at St. Joseph’s Parish in Rosemount. He was asked to continue to serve until Fr. Cody returned and after he was unable to do so, Fr. Vince found enjoyment in a regular Sunday routine up until his own recent illness. During his time at St. Joseph’s he was able to celebrate his mother’s 100th birthday and then her funeral Mass just short of her turning 102.

When asked about celebrating 65 years as a priest Fr. Vince said, “These 65 years have gone so quickly, and they blanket the joys, accomplishments, failures and frustrations known only to God. But that’s how it is in everyone’s life—and so it is in the life of a priest. I thank God for giving me these years of love, grace and health to endure what was, what is and what is yet to be. With gratitude, I also include my family, my friends and all my parishioners who have loved and supported me. Now in the winter of my life, may I continue to serve Him as best I can. Pray for me, Pray for vocations.”

Among his pastimes were boating on the St. Croix River where he served as Chaplain to the St. Croix Yacht Club and numerous trips hauling the boat to Lakes Superior and Michigan, and his favorite, the Apostle Islands. The Knights of Columbus was a group especially dear to Father Vince with many friends. He also served as their Chaplin for some time. He took up the game of golf at the age of 85. He loved it and played as often as he could with his “foursome”.

Special thanks for the love and caring from HealthEast Hospice, Baywood Home Care & The Commons on Marice. Hierarchical Concelebrated Mass of the Resurrection 11:00 AM Monday at the CHURCH OF ST. JOSEPH (13900 Biscayne Av. W. Rosemount, MN) with visitation at 10 AM. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation at the CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS (1629 University Av. NE Minneapolis, MN) on Sunday from 2-5:30 PM. The Knights of Columbus Rosary and Vigil Prayers will begin at 4:30 PM. Memorials preferred St. Joseph’s Church Rosemount, MN or Mary’s Place, Minneapolis, MN.