Deacon Page, known for his multi-faceted service, dies at 85

Deacon David Anthony Page Sr. worked in every role possible for a deacon during his 16 years of service at St. Joseph Parish in Odenton.  

The Pennsylvania native died Dec. 14 at age 85, surrounded by his family.

He was ordained to the diaconate by Cardinal William Keeler on June 16, 1999, and served at St. Joseph in Western Anne Arundel County until 2015.

He served as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion, lector, parish council member and RCIA director as well as volunteering for the church “Kitchen Krew” for Wednesday bingo and many other functions. He did all that in addition to his duties performing baptisms and presiding over weddings and funerals.

Father Michael Foppiano, director of deacon personnel for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, noted that Deacon Page’s ministry included “a significant period of transition” as Holy Apostles Parish in Gambrills merged with St. Joseph in 2014. Father Foppiano also recalled that Deacon Page “generously gave of himself to the wider archdiocesan church through his service on the Deacon Ongoing Formation Committee, helping to coordinate numerous convocations and days of prayer.”

Deacon Page and wife, Dell Rita, whom he married in November 1963. settled in Gambrills with their family in 1984 following his 24-year career in the Air Force. In the military, he was a voice processing technician, retiring with the rank of captain. His Air Force postings included Turkey, Germany, Texas, Maryland, Thailand and Florida. 

He worked in cryptology analysis for the Boeing Corp. until he retired in 1998. Dell died in 2021.

Deacon Page was born in Pittsburgh on Nov. 8, 1940, the son of Anthony and Mildred Page. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1960 following his graduation from St. Michael’s High School in Pittsburgh.

He is survived by five children: Deborah Lynn Hensley; David Anthony Page Jr. (Dawn); Daniel Patrick Page (Alice) Diane Marie Pope (Dale); and Dustin Michael Page (Thao Nguyen); six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at the Hardesty Funeral Home  851 Annapolis Road in Gambrills on Dec. 21 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Odenton on Dec. 22 at 10 a.m., followed by burial at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville.

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