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May 15, 2026FRAMINGHAM – Father Conrad Stephen Pecevich passed away in the early morning hours on Wednesday, May 13.
Father Pecevich was born in Worcester, on September 19, 1949, the son of Leonard J. Pecevich and Anna R. (Shea) Pecevich. He was proud to be a “son of St. Peter Parish,” having been baptized and receiving all his sacraments at St. Peter Church in Worcester. He attended St. Peter Elementary School and St. Peter Central Catholic High School, graduating in 1967. In that same church he celebrated his first Mass in 1977.
“Father Conrad” completed his priestly studies at Christ the King Seminary, originally located at St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY, and later relocated to East Aurora, New York. He was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester on June 4, 1977, by Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan. Following priestly ordination, Father Pecevich pursued advance degrees at Providence College, Assumption College and eventually earned a Doctorate of Ministry at Andover Newton Theological School, Newton Centre, MA.
During his priestly life he frequently pursued Spanish language courses in Florida, Mexico, Guatemala and Toledo, Spain. He was the recipient of a study grant at the Universidad de La Mancha by the Government of Spain.
Father Pecevich was an avid educator and writer. He served for many years as adjunct professor at Anna Maria College, Paxton in the Religious Studies Department and later at Nichols College, Dudley, in the Humanities Department. He served as instructor of Old Testament and World Religions in the Diaconate Program of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island and of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester. Over most of his priesthood, Father conducted popular Bible Study programs for adults in the Diocese of Worcester and the Archdiocese of Boston.
He was proud of his Russian and Irish ancestry, and he traveled several times to Ireland in order to discover his ancestral roots there. That brought him to Killarney, County Kerry and to Cork City. He loved Irish music and theatre and cherished his friends in Ireland. He also studied Russian Orthodox spirituality and culture.
His priestly assignments also included St. Roch Parish, Oxford, St. Theresa Parish, Blackstone, St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Worcester, all as associate pastor. He was appointed pastor of St. Paul Parish, Blackstone, and later of St. Anne Parish, Southborough.
In 1985, Father Pecevich was assigned to Anna Maria College, Paxton as chaplain and director of Campus Ministry. He proudly served at AMC for several years. Later he was appointed to be chaplain at Nichols College, Dudley. His many years working college students greatly enriched his life. While chaplain at Nichols College, he also ministered to the Spanish-speaking community at St. Louis Parish, Webster.
In addition to being a dedicated educator, Father Pecevich was an avid writer. He was a popular columnist of The Catholic Free Press wherein he wrote based on Sunday Scripture readings. He also enjoyed writing short inspirational stories based on his real life experiences and the examples of his friends and life time heroes. He also had what he referred to as “Card Ministry” where he loved to remember people’s birthdays, anniversaries, losses and successes.
He is survived by his sister, Rita Pecevich Lebouef of Worcester and his sister-in-law, Linda Finsen Pecevich of Bristol, Connecticut, and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his fellow priests of the Diocese of Worcester and many cherished friends. He was predeceased by his loving brothers, David and Leonard.
Father Pecevich will be waked at St. John’s Church, 44 Temple Street, Worceste,r on Monday, May 18 from 5-7 p.m. with a vigil service beginning at 7 p.m. Deacon William H. White will be the homilist. His funeral Mass will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the church with Bishop McManus as the main celebrant. The homilist will be Father John F. Madden. Burial will take place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Cherry Valley, Leicester.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Priest’s Retirement Fund of the Diocese of Worcester, 49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609. Arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster. www.websterfunerals.com