Rev. Joseph E. Tustin, OSFS, in his 64th year of religious life as a professed member of the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, died on March 8, 2023.
Father was born in Philadelphia in 1939, the son of Joseph Frank Tustin and Harriet Gutowski Tustin. After graduating from Northeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia in 1957, he entered the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and professed first vows on August 21, 1959. He made perpetual profession on September 30, 1962 and was ordained a priest on October 21, 1967. Father earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America (Washington, DC) and a Master of Theology Degree from De Sales School of Theology (Washington, DC).
Over the years, he served on the faculty of Father Judge High School (Philadelphia, PA) and Northeast Catholic High School (Philadelphia, PA), on the staff of Villa Maria Retreat House (Wernersville, PA), and as Pastor of Saint Richard Parish (Mannheim, PA), Saint Joseph Parish (Asheboro, NC), and Holy Cross Parish (Kernersville, NC). He also served as Parochial Vicar at Holy Cross as well as Saint Mary Parish (Goldsboro, NC). Upon retirement, Father Tustin ministered at Resurrection of Our Lord Parish (Philadelphia, PA).
Rev. Joseph E. Tustin, OSFS is preceded in death by his parents as well as his sisters, Mary Hypes and Patricia (Billy) Jacobs as well as his brothers, George Tustin and Michael Tustin. He is survived by many nieces and nephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 13, 2023, beginning at 11:30 AM at Our Lady of Light Chapel, 1120 Blue Ball Road, Childs, MD 21916. The Viewing will precede the Mass from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM. Interment will take place at the Oblate Cemetery following the Mass. Attendees must be fully vaccinated and boosted from COVID-19. Social distancing and masks are required.
In memory of Father Tustin’s life and legacy, donations may be made to the Oblate Development Fund, P.O. Box 87, Childs, MD 21916-0087 or here.
