East Windsor Obituary: Rev. David Liptak, 89

The Reverend Monsignor David Quentin Liptak, 89, of Enfield, passed away peacefully Monday, January 1, 2018.

Monsignor Liptak was born January 17th, 1928 in Bridgeport, son of the late Stephen D. and Amelia M. (Witt) Liptak. He graduated from St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield and received his degree in Philosophy and Theology from St. Bernard’s Seminary, Rochester, NY. Monsignor Liptak was ordained May 14th, 1953 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford by The Most Reverend Henry J. O’Brien, then Bishop of Hartford.

In 1953, Monsignor Liptak was appointed Assistant Pastor of St. Augustine Church in Hartford. In 1954 he began his long association with the Catholic Transcript and served in various capacities over the years ending as the Executive Editor in 2016. In 1959, he became the Chaplain for the House of Good Shepherd in Hartford.

In addition to his D. Min from Drew University in 1978, Monsignor Liptak received an honorary doctorate (Honoris Causa) in 2003 from Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell where he served for over twenty years in various capacities as Professor, Director of Priestly Formation, Chair of the Theology Department and Vice Rector. He was also co-founder of their St. Pope John Paul II Bioethics Center which recently rewarded him for his years of devoted service there. He authored several articles and books on the Saints, Moral Theology, Bioethical Issues and Sacramental Theology.

In 1993, he became the Pastor at St. Catherine Church in Broad Brook. He was appointed Censor Librorum for the Archdiocese of Hartford in 1995 and held that position until his death. He was appointed Prelate of Honor by the Holy Father in 2000 and assumed Senior Priest Status in January 2016.

Monsignor Liptak is survived by his sister, Sister Dolores Liptak, RSM, of West Hartford, his brother-in-law, Joseph P. Nucera; his nieces and nephews, Faith Nucera Sprow of Bel Air, MD; Joseph D. Nucera of Ellington; Katherine Berkun of Killingworth; Elizabeth “Lily” Rausa; David P. Nucera of Alexandria, VA; and five grandnieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Beatrice L. Nucera and his niece, Beatrice Ann Nucera.

Friends may call at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, 140 Farmington Ave., Hartford on Thursday (Jan. 4) from 2:00-5:00pm. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Friday (Jan. 5) at 11:00am in the Cathedral of St. Joseph with The Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair, Archbishop of Hartford presiding. Burial will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Stratford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, 1365 Enfield St., Enfield, CT 06082.