Monsignor Richard Guastella, pastor of St. Clare R.C. Church in Great Kills, a faithful visionary with deep borough ties who is credited with transforming two parishes during his 48-year priesthood, died early Thursday morning in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince’s Bay, after battling COVID-19 for a little over a week. He was 73.

Born in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, Monsignor Guastella graduated from Bishop Dubois High School in 1964 and Cathedral College in 1968 before earning his Master’s of Divinity Degree from St. Joseph Seminary. He was ordained on May 27, 1972.