SUMMERVILLE—Deacon Joseph Cruess Eustace died on Tuesday, Feb. 22. He was 65 years old. 

Deacon Eustace was born in Waterbury, Connecticut on March 4, 1956, son of the late Robert Eustace and the late Florence Cruess Eustace. He was also preceded in death by a son, Sean Patrick Eustace.   

Deacon Joseph Eustace

Prior to retirement, he worked for many years as a computer consultant with DED, HP, Sun Micro Systems, GMAC, IBM and Wipro.  

He was a deacon of the Archdiocese of Atlanta and was serving at St. Mary’s Church in Rome. His ministry was working at Hays State Prison as a chaplain. Through that ministry, he saw a number of converts receiving baptisms and confirmations. He offered a communion service weekly and adoration monthly there.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4410 and was a Fourth Degree Knight. 

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Anne Frances O’Connor Eustace; a son, Thomas Joseph Eustace (Autumn), Jonesboro, Arkansas; a daughter, Shannon Maureen Pannell (Mike), Douglasville; four grandchildren, Carter Pannell, Lily Pannell, Anniston Eustace and Alexis Eustace; two brothers, Robert Eustace (Annette) and Thomas Eustace (Cely); a sister, Charlotte Kelly and many nieces and nephews. 

The funeral Mass for Deacon Eustace was March 3 at St. Mary’s Church, Rome. The Mass was concelebrated by Father Valery Akoh and Father Rafael Carballo. A private committal service will be held in St. Mary’s Memorial Garden. 

The family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at www.stjude.org, or to the St. Joseph Cafasso Prison Ministries, 12460 Crabapple Road, Ste 202-213, Alpharetta, GA 30004.