The late Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio was known for his generous spirit. He established an endowment in memory of his parents dedicated to feeding those in need. When he passed in 2024, he left an estate gift to ensure that its work continued. GREENSBORO — Those who knew, worked and worshipped with Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio – the beloved late pastor of St. Pius X Church in Greensboro – describe him as witty, compassionate and deeply generous. While Monsignor Marcaccio passed away at 61 on July 19, 2024, after a short battle with appendiceal cancer, his legacy of compassion continues to feed bodies and souls.
Monsignor MarcaccioHis giving spirit and commitment to those less fortunate lives on through the Marcaccio Family St. Anthony Bread Endowment Fund. He established the endowment in 2019 to honor his parents – Tony and Rose Marcaccio – and the family’s favorite saint, St. Anthony of Padua. At his passing, he gifted $531,000 to the endowment fund, which was half of his retirement account.
The Marcaccio Family St. Anthony Bread Endowment Fund helps feed the poor in the Triad and Asheville areas. “This is something to honor my parents and to help the poor,” Monsignor
Marcaccio told the Catholic News Herald in 2019. “My parents always acted in charity, and this endowment continues that legacy.”
As Derek Ritzel a friend and longtime parishioner of St. Pius X recalls, “Generosity was at the core of who he was, with his time, talent and treasure. He would constantly keep in contact with everyone. Texts. Phone calls. Cards. He always had time for you, even when he didn’t actually have the time.”
Donations from St. Pius X parishioners, Monsignor Marcaccio’s estate gift and growth of investments have brought the value to over $870,000 – closing in on his $1 million goal. “Because of this bequest, people my parents never knew, people I will never know … even generations long after us, will benefit from the impact of this endowment,” Monsignor Marcaccio said in 2019.
Father Christian Cook, current pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Greensboro, describes Monsignor Marcaccio as a builder. “In addition to building the physical buildings and facilities of a parish church and school, he knew the faith would continue to be propagated by leaving a lasting legacy in the form of an endowment,” Cook said.
An endowment is a permanent fund, the principal of which is invested – not spent – that generates income to help pay for projects and programs specified by the donor. Endowments are tax deductible and help sustain the strength and viability of the diocese and its entities, paying for capital improvements, charitable outreach, education and parish operations.
“Monsignor wanted his estate gift to be known so he could encourage other individuals in the diocese to do the same thing he did and set up named endowments that can do good for parishes, schools, ministries and the diocese itself,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan development director. “He also was hopeful that friends of his would consider giving to this endowment to help it reach $1 million in value. We are so grateful for Monsignor Marcaccio’s commitment to taking care of the poor for generations to come.”
As Father Cook emphasized, “The beauty of an endowment is that the initial financial gift does not get spent down. The principal of the original gift continues to grow in the Foundation of the
Diocese of Charlotte, such that Monsignor’s financial gift will continue to yield financial support in perpetuity.”
Fund an endowment
Interested in setting up – or adding to – an endowment to benefit your parish? Establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a trust or annuity, or a gift of real estate, life insurance, cash or securities. Join more than 1,700 parishioners who have informed the diocese they plan to remember the Church in their estate plans.
For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
— Courtney McLaughlin