Beloved East Anglia priest Fr Olindo Cramaro dies at 96

The eldest priest of the Diocese of East Anglia, Fr Olindo Cramaro, passed away peacefully at home, a few days before his 97th birthday on Thursday November 31. Fr Jeffrey Downie here pays tribute.

Living in care for most of this year, Fr Olindo celebrated an amazing 70 years of priesthood on January 24, joined by local clergy for Mass, a small party and receiving a special Papal Blessing.

A native of Italy, Fr Olindo was born in a small village near Udine on November 3, 1927. Ordained priest for the Society of St Paul on January 24, 1954, after one year he was transferred to Northern Ireland for three years.

In 1957, Fr Olindo moved to East Anglia, eventually incardinating into what was then part of the Diocese of Northampton, serving in Norwich at the Cathedral and at All Souls Peterborough. He had responsibility for the fledgling Orton Community in the early 1980’s, before the now flourishing parish of St Luke’s was created. In January 1984, he became parish priest of Sacred Heart Southwold, enjoying 20 years of fruitful ministry there before retirement in 2003.

Fr Olindo then returned to Peterborough, settling in Yaxley close to long-time friends Bridget and Roy Day, who with their family increasingly cared for him as the years passed. Until his early 90’s he continued to remain very active, supporting the local Catholic community, schools and parishes, especially St Luke’s. Fr Olindo especially enjoyed visits from friends, smoking his pipe and listening to classical music, driving around in his Fiat along with regular visits to the Italian shop for food and wine.

Up to the end of his life Fr Olindo continued to support us with his daily prayers and received Holy Communion regularly from local clergy, still keeping up with the news and welcoming visits from friends. Greatly loved and respected, particularly in the Peterborough area, Fr Olindo will be profoundly missed. May he rest in peace.

Funeral arrangements for Fr Olindo:

Thursday November 21:

4pm Reception of Body into St Luke’s & Prayers

6pm Requiem Mass

Friday November 22:

12.30pm Funeral Mass with Bishop Peter

Followed by the Committal at Yaxley Cemetery

Pictured above is Fr Olindo on his 90th birthday, and below, a photo from his First Mass in 1954.

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