Charles W. Tracy

Reverend Charles W. Tracy - Passed away on January 11, 2007 in Greebrae, CA. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Maxine Tracy. He is survived by his sister, Patricia Heaphy of Centralia, WA; brothers Sean in Ecuador and Michael in Southern CA. Fr. Tracy was born in Crescent City, CA in 1933 and attended St. Bernardâ??s elementary and high school in Eureka. He served in the US Navy for 3 years, stationed at Treasure Island Navy Base in San Francisco. He attended Georgetown University School of Foreign Service from 1955 to 1957 with the intention of entering the US diplomatic service, but decided to make a change. He entered Mount Angel Seminary in OR to study for the priesthood for the Diocese of Sacramento. In 1962, he committed to minister in the newly established Diocese of Santa Rosa and was ordained to the priesthood on May 11, 1963. He was the second priest ordained for the Diocese of Santa Rosa. He served as associated Pastor at Sacred Heart, Eureka (1962-65); St. Vincent de Paul, Petaluma (1965-67); St. Apollinaris, Napa (1967-68) and St. Eugeneâ??s Cathedral, Santa Rosa, (1968-71). He served as Administrator at St. Josephâ??s in Middletown from 1972-79 where he built the Church and as Pastor of St. Joseph parish in Crescent City from 1979-80. It was while serving as Pastor in Crescent City that he suffered a brain aneurysm which left him disabled and unable to exercise his priestly ministry. Since 1981, he has resided in Calistoga, where Msgr. John Brenkle cared for him, as well as in Napa and the Vigil Light Apartments in Santa Rosa. In 2002, he was admitted to Nazareth House, Terra Linda, where he was cared for very lovingly by the Nazareth Sisters and all the staff. Friends and family are invited to the Reception of the Body and Rosary on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 10:00 A.M. at the Cathedral of St. Eugene, 2323 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa, CA with the Funeral Mass at 10:30 A.M. Interment to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Santa Rosa, CA. Arrangements entrusted to PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, Petaluma, CA (707) 763-4131.