The Reverend Msgr. Mark O. Benvegnu died December 17, 1995 at St. Joseph Villa in Salt Lake City. He was 82 years old.
Born July 30, 1913 in Bingham Canyon, he attended school at Jefferson School in Salt Lake City from 1918 to 1920, Grass Creek School from 1921 to 1924, and Murray Elementary School from 1924 to 1926. He was a 1930 graduate of Murray High School.Msgr. Benvegnue attended St. Joseph's College in Mountain View, California, before entering St. Patrick's Seminary, Menlo Park, California in 1935. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Salt Lake City June 8, 1941, by then-Bishop Duane G. Hunt.
Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Holladay, from 1962 to 1986; Msgr. Benvegnu also served at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City and St. Joseph Parish in Ogden.
From 1945 to 1947, he served as a chaplain of the Armed Forces. Upon his return to Salt Lake City he taught at and administered Judge Memorial Catholic High School from 1947 to 1954. He served as assistant pastor at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, Midvale, and the Cathedral of the Madeleine.
He instituted St. Francis Xavier Parish, Kearns, before beginning his 24-year tenure as pastor of St. Vincent's. Msgr. Benvegnu was elevated to the position of Prelate of Honor July 7, 1981, giving him the title Reverend Monsignor.
Msgr. Benvegnu retired from active ministry August 8, 1986, but continued to celebrate Mass and the sacraments at St. Vincent's.
He is survived by his sisters, Mrs. Mary Richeda of Salt Lake City; and Holy Cross Sister Mary Duane Benvegnu, Ventura, Calif.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, December 22, at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1375 East Spring Lane, Salt Lake City. A viewing will be held Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Vigil services at 8 p.m. at the church. Committal, Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Funeral directors, Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, Murray.
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