Fr. Vitaliano Papais
elevated 9McWK October 7, 1939 ~ June 8, 2025
elevated 9McWK Visitation
Friday, June 13, 2025, from 4:00 – 8:00pm
Queen of Heaven Catholic Funeral Home
7300 Highway 27, Woodbridge, Ontario L4H 4Y8
elevated 9McWK Funeral Mass
Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 12:00pm
Chapel of Our Lady of Consolation at Queen of Heaven Catholic Funeral Home
7300 Highway 27, Woodbridge, Ontario L4H 4Y8
elevated 9McWK Click here to view the Funeral Mass live
elevated 9McWK Entombment
Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery – St. Anthony’s Mausoleum
7300 Highway 27, Woodbridge, Ontario L4H 4Y8
elevated 9McWK Obituary
elevated 9McWK Reverend Vitaliano Papais died on Sunday, June 8, 2025. Father Papais was 85 years old and in his 61st year of the priesthood. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 28, 1964, for the Diocese of Concordia-Pordenone, Italy. Father Papais was Associate Pastor at St. Wilfrid’s Parish and Sts. Peter and Paul Parish. He was Pastor of St. Fidelis Parish, St. Peter’s Parish in Woodbridge, St. Norbert’s Parish, St. Bernard de Clairvaux Parish and St. Nicholas of Bari Parish. He was also Administrator at St. Patrick’s Parish, Brampton. Father Papais retired in 2014 and was in residence at Casa del Zotto, Toronto.
elevated 9McWK In his retirement, Father Papais continued to serve his community of faith by saying weekly masses at the Casa Abruzzo and St. Alphonsus Parish, as well as masses for any of his former parishioners who requested him.
elevated 9McWK As a family, we were privileged to know him not just in his capacity as a priest, but in all the ways a Zio would be known. He guided us through our own lives. He lived his vows not only in his ministry, but in his relationships. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his sister, nephews and their families.
elevated 9McWK If desired, donations can be made to the Shepherds’ Trust in memory of Fr. Papais. Click on the link below to donate.
elevated 9McWK Shepherds’ Trust
To my beloved Father Papais, not just a priest, but also my dearest friend. I’ll forever be grateful for the wisdom you shared, the prayers you offered, and the unwavering friendship you provided. You were a beacon of light, a guide through life’s challenges, and a comforting presence in times of joy and sorrow. Your dedication to your calling, your genuine care for others, and your unwavering faith have left an indelible mark on my soul. I cherish the countless memories we shared, the laughter we enjoyed, and the deep connection that transcended our roles. Though your earthly presence is gone, your spirit remains with me, and I will continue to draw strength from the lessons you taught and the love you shared. Rest in peace, my dear friend, and may your eternal home be filled with the same joy and grace you brought to this world.”
My heartfelt condolences to the family
Love, Sonya and Rosaria Fior
“Con molta tristezza abbiamo appreso la triste notizia della tua scomparsa, Don Vitaliano.
Nonostante tutti i tuoi impegni internazionali, ogni volta che venivi in Italia, trovavi il tempo per passare dal tuo paese natale.
Con il tuo carattere espansivo e allegro celebravi la messa e ci portavi i saluti dei concittadini che abitano in Canada.
Adesso sei tornato alla casa del Padre, ricordati di noi anche da lassù!
Ciao Don Vitaliano.
La comunità di Ramuscello”
Rest In Peace Fr. Vitaliano Thank you for your prayers and friendship. Sincere condolences to the family 🙏🙏
It was with great sadness to hear of Father Papais passing.
He was a great friend, and although we had some differences, we still
held him in high esteem and love in our hearts.
We will cherish the countless memories we shared during our many
years of friendship.
May you rest in peace our friend.
Our sincerest and heartfelt condolences to the Family.
Love, Gaetano, Eugenia (Jean) Turcarolo & Family
My condolences to Mrs. Mior, Mark and family.
I had the pleasure of meeting Fr. Papais through my cousins Mark and Denise. His northern Italian heritage added a unique touch to the Italian community. What captured me the most was his ability to understand people. I witnessed this at my mother’s funeral where despite meeting my mother Lidia only on special occasions, Fr. Papais which was one of the priests that celebrated her mass, spoke about her with such depth that it left me speechless. His gift for understanding people was remarkable. May he rest in peace.
Un grande amico di mio padre e della nostra famiglia. RIEP padre Papais. Spero che tu e papà vi siate ritrovati per condividere un cognac in paradiso; senza dubbio sara più buono del nostro.
😘 ♥️
Our sincerest condolences to the Family.
We will never forget the many years he was at St. Patrick’s Church,
Wildfield, Brampton.
He was a great friend to all of us and we will cherish his friendship
always.
May you find comfort & strength at this time of great sorrow & thereafter.
Eufemia Torreson
Michelina Morelli
Maria Ceci
Giuseppa Lumia
He was a good friend of my Zia Silvia -they use to go to Nana Mouskouri concerts together. I have fond memories of them. He was kind & gracious.
Ricorderemo sempre la tua grande volontà e desiderio di collaborazione nella comunità.
Non solo sei stato il esponente di rilievo carismatico, creando e unendo i vari club Pordenonesi in Toronto, sei stato il ponte di unione tra emigranti friulani e l’Italia che hai sempre amato.
Rimarrà sempre nel nostro cuore il tempo trascorso insieme.
Ci viene a mancare un sacerdote, ma sopratutto un vero e caro amico.
Dopo una vita frenetica, che tu possa riposare in pace Don Vitaliano.
Con affetto, Saverio e Oriana Gardin
Club Ramuscello-Toronto
Cari Saverio e Oriana nel caro ricordo che io e Cristiana abbiamo- in uno dei nostri viaggi in Canada a visitare Graziano e Antonietta- quando assieme a Voi abbiamo brindato, cenato, chiaccherato e ricordato con Don Vitaliano parlando in friulano…
Vi siamo vicini con l’affetto e la preghiera.
Un grande abbraccio a Voi.
Piero e Cristiana Fantin Azzano Decimo Pordenone
I had the privilege of meeting Father Vitaliano when he blessed the engagement of my niece Denise to his nephew Mark. He then joyfully officiated at all the following milestones in their lives, such as their wedding and the baptism of their two children, Lauren and Luke. His kind words at the funerals that inevitably touched their lives, were a great source of comfort and support.
His kindness and generosity were a constant in his life.
Father Vitaliano had an amazing gift for personalizing his eulogies. The one he gave at my father’s funeral comes to mind. Very touching.
During our conversation this past Easter Day, he told me that his journey to the priesthood began when he was thirteen years old. His commitment to his calling and faith grew from there and never wavered.
I will always remember that last conversation. Rest in peace Father Vitaliano. May your memory always be a blessing. 🙏
Clare Apa
Con molta tristezza abbiamo appreso la triste notizia della tua scomparsa, Don Vitaliano.
Nonostante tutti i tuoi impegni internazionali, ogni volta che venivi in Italia, trovavi il tempo di passare dal tuo paese natale.
Con il tuo carattere espansivo e allegro, celebravi la messa e ci portavi i saluti dei concittadini che abitano in Canada.
Adesso sei tornato alla casa del Padre, ricordati di noi anche da lassù!
Ciao Don VItaliano.
La comunità di Ramuscello
EFASCE esprime profondo cordoglio per la scomparsa di don Vitaliano.
Nel suo ministero ha sempre avuto a cuore il bene di tutti i suoi parrocchiani e in special modo i tanti di origine friulana.
Essendo lui stesso emigrante ha sempre saputo sostenerli con fede e amore anche nei periodi difficili che si vivono lontano dalla famiglia e dalla madrepatria.
EFASCE e i corregionali di Toronto perdono un sicuro punto di riferimento.
Per lui le nostre preghiere.
Angioletto Tubaro
Presidente EFASCE a nome del Consiglio Direttivo
Ai familiari e alla comunità del caro Don Vitaliano Papais le mie più sentite e sincere condoglianze. La sua scomparsa lascia un vuoto profondo nella comunità e nelle vite di coloro che lo hanno conosciuto.
Che la sua memoria continui a ispirare e a guidare coloro che lo hanno amato e rispettato.
Che la pace e la consolazione siano con tutti loro in questo momento di dolore.
Con profondo cordoglio,
Daniele Gerolin
We knew Father Papais for so long from his cheerful and willing cooperation at Radio Maria from its beginning in Toronto to his work in the different parishes throughout the Archdiocese…He was someone you were so comfortable talking with, sharing with, a little cognac, a lot of faith…His dedication to God, to his family and to Italy and Canada never wavered. We are blessed to have known him…Thank you Jesus for Father Papais.
My sincere condolences to the family of Father Papais.
I remember Father from his time as pastor at St. Fidelis. His sermons were lively. His message was serious but always tempered with a little humour.
Father Papais baptized my nephew. We had the pleasure of his presence at dinner. My sister-in-law’s parents were from the same part of Italy as Father Papais. Needless to say, conversation that evening was loud and joyous.
St. Fidelis celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year. It is sad that Father Papais will not be joining parishioners as we remember and honour his past leadership and guidance.
Rest in peace Father Papais.
With immense sadness we mourn the passing of father Papais. He was a wonderful friend, spiritual advisor and a leader of many excursions with our youths from Toronto to Italy and back. Rest in peace dear friend.
Our deepest condolences to the family.
Our sincerest condolences to the Mior Family.
To the Papais family, we express our deepest sympathy for the loss of Fr.Vitaliano Papais. He was a true and unique gentleman in every sense of the word – he was simply a giant in our community. We can see that he had a long & deep connection with many people not just here in Toronto but across Canada and Europe. Father Papais was a pillar at St.Patrick’s and we will remember all the great times we had with him. We hope for the family that your memories bring you comfort. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Requiescat in pace, Fr.Papais
The Cella Family and everyone at Cella Auto