Father Michael Librandi, 71, Dies July 16 in Rockford
Father Michael Librandi
July 20, 2012

ROCKFORD—Father Michael Librandi died Monday, July 16, 2012, at Provena Cor Mariae Center. He was 71.

Father Librandi was born April 3, 1941, in Chicago, the son of Anthony M. and Bernice M. (Schuster) Librandi. He graduated from St. Benedict High School in Chicago. 

He completed college studies at Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago; University of Illinois; and Loyola in Chicago.

He completed seminary training at Holy Cross Seminary in LaCrosse, Wis., and completed his theology studies at Aquinas Institute, Dubuque, Iowa.

Father Librandi was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Arthur J. O’Neill Sept. 30, 1978, at St. Michael Parish in Galena.

Father was assigned as the Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry for the Freeport Deanery from 1979 to 1980; was Director of Youth Ministry for the DeKalb Deanery from 1980 to 1984; was Administrator of SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Virgil from 1984 to 1987 and then served as pastor there from 1987 to 1989.
After a medical leave, Father Librandi served as pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Hanover from 1992 to 1999. He was pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Lena from 1999 to 2003 and also served as pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Scales Mound from 1999 to 2002. Father Librandi retired in 2003 but served as the chaplain at Provena Cor Mariae Center, Rockford.

For many years Father Librandi directed and operated the Tuk-A-Way Retreat Center, in rural JoDaviess County and provided religious reflections for liturgical seasons online  after his retirement.

Surviving Father Librandi are his sisters, Laurine (Bill) Easton and Charlene (Dick) Hennessey, five nieces and nephews and six grandnieces and grandnephews.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. on Friday, July 20, 2012, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, followed by the recitation of the rosary. Visitation will also be held 9-10:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 21, 2012, at St. Rita Parish, 6254 Valley Knoll Dr., Rockford, where the funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Rockford.