Requiescat in Pace
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. David Farrugia, O.P.
Fr. David John Farrugia, O.P., a Dominican friar of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, died peacefully in his sleep on April 1, 2025, in Benicia, CA, one day shy of his 65th anniversary of ordination as a Catholic priest.
David was born July 1, 1934, to Anthony and Mary (Scicluna) Farrugia in Vittoriosa, Malta. After attending elementary school in Mosta, he entered the Archbishop's Minor Seminary in Floriana, where he completed his high school education. In 1950 he was accepted at St. Albert the Great College, administered by the Dominican friars in Valletta.
Inspired by the example of the friars, he entered the novitiate in 1953 and professed solemn vows on October 20, 1957, in Rabat. He was then ordained on April 2, 1960, at St. John's Cathedral in Valletta, and began his priestly ministry. Fourteen months later, he joined several Maltese friars who traveled to California to serve in the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.
In Benicia and Kentfield, the young priest helped in the formation of lay brothers. Then in 1965 he began the first of many assignments. He was an associate pastor at St. Dominic's in San Francisco, at St. Mary Magdalen's in Berkeley, St. Dominic's in Benicia, St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral in Reno, NV, and St. Dominic's in Los Angeles. He also served as a chaplain to the Christian Brothers novitiate community at Mont LaSalle, and twice served in campus ministry at the University of California, Riverside.
In 1973 he became a U.S. citizen and three years later transfiliated to the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.
After a sabbatical year studying philosophy and theology at Notre Dame, and then in the Holy Land, Fr. David was named pastor of Our Lady of the Mountain parish in Ashland, OR, the first of many pastorates including St. Mary Magdalen Church in Berkeley and St. Dominic's in Benicia.
He was popular and loved by both students and parishioners for his organizational skills and approachability. Within every community he served, many people counted him as a wise counselor and friend. Parish leaders once wrote to the provincial: “We want you to know what an amazing impact he has had on our church and school community… His humor, humility and kindness have touched so many.”
After 52 years in active ministry, Fr. David retired to the Dominican community in Benicia, where he continued to serve as a confessor and confidante to many grateful individuals.
Memorial and Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
7:30pm -- Vigil at St. Dominic's Catholic Church, Benicia (475 East I Street, Benicia, CA 94510)
Wednesday, April 9
10:30am -- Funeral Mass at St. Dominic's Catholic Church, Benicia (475 East I Street, Benicia, CA 94510), immediately followed by the burial at St. Dominic's Cemetery, Benicia (585 Hillcrest Ave, Benicia, CA 94510)
To make a gift in memory of Fr. David Farrugia, O.P., please click the button below.
It is a tradition of the Order of Preachers to establish a fund in the name of each of our departed brothers. Your donation to this memorial fund will support the education of our Dominican brothers still in formation, continuing the faithful legacy of our departed brother. It is a lasting tribute to Fr. David and a gift to the Dominican students who study in his footsteps.
