Rites said for Stefani, former pastor for Colfax Cuban school children

Rites for the Rev. Monsignor Cornelio Stefani, the priest who served at St. Patrick's Church here in the early 1960s when 62 Cuban children were brought here as part of the Pedro Pan project, were said Sept. 6, 2015, at Cristo Re Catholic Church in Pordenone, Italy. Father Stefani, who came to the United States from Italy in 1955, returned to Italy in 1972.

Msgr. Stefani died Sept. 3, 2015, in Italy, and members of St. Patrick's were informed of his death last week.

He served at St. Patrick's for nine years and during that time he was instrumental with the Colfax part of the Pedro Pan project. The Cuban children were allowed to leave Cuba during the early part of the Castro regime and departed in several Pedro Pan flights. Their parents had to stay behind, but they were later allowed to leave and gradually reunited with their children.

In Colfax, the Cuban youngsters, who represented a wide age range, resided at the former St. John's Academy. Many church families and other volunteers assisted with the Colfax program which included language instruction for the children. Some of the older children graduated from Colfax High School starting with the class of 1965.

Aracelia (Audie) Reyes Guidi of Colfax is the lone member of the Pedro Pan youngsters who remained in Colfax. Some of the Cubans returned here three years ago for a St. John's Academy reunion. Guidi said the Pedro Pan children still have reunions at different locations around the United States with most on the east coast.

Born in what is now Croatia, Father Stefani was ordained in 1948 in Pordenone, Italy, where his family settled after World War II. In addition to Colfax, he served the Spokane Diocese at Northport, Kettle Falls, Dayton and Waitsburg, according to the Inland Register Catholic newspaper.

He is survived by two brothers, Armano Stefani, Federal Way; and Ezio Stefani, East Setauket, N.Y., and a sister, Anita Della Vallentina, Pordenone; eight nieces and nephews and nine grand nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorials go to St. Patrick's Church.