Monsignor Francis S. Midura dies at 67

Giving, active and altruistic, Monsignor Francis S. Midura, chaplain of the Baldwin Fire Department, died Monday of a heart attack. He was 67.

Midura was born to Polish parents, Jan and Genowefa Midura, in Locust Valley. He studied for the priesthood at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, and was ordained in 1970. He served at St. Bernard’s in Levittown before taking positions at St. Joseph’s in Ronkonkoma, St. Peter of Alcantara in Port Washington, St. Ladislaus in Hempstead, Our Lady of Hope in Carle Place and St. Christopher’s in Baldwin. Midura eventually moved on to St. Thomas More in Hauppauge, where he served until his death.

According to Paul Borowski, a parishioner at St. Thomas More, Midura had a gift for connecting with people on a personal level. “He gave high fives and fists to children and many adults,” Borowski said, adding that he and his family regarded Midura as a friend as well as a pastor.

But while Midura made himself available to anyone in need, he reserved a special place in his heart for servicemen and women. In 1980 he joined the Army as a chaplain. He served in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War, and retired as a colonel. Returning to the U.S., he worked with fire departments in Baldwin, Hauppauge and Carle Place, and maintained close ties with numerous colleagues from the military.

Midura is survived by a sister, “Mickey” Margas, and two brothers, Joseph and Stanley Midura. A wake was scheduled for Thursday, in Walden Hall at St. Thomas More R.C. Church on Kings Highway in Hauppauge, from 5 to 9 p.m. Firematic services were to be held at 8 p.m., with Knights of Columbus Services to follow. Visitation is on Friday afternoon from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., and a mass of transferal will take place at St. Thomas More R.C. Church on Friday at 7:30 p.m. A funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday morning at 11 a.m., with Bishop William Murphy officiating. Midura’s burial will be at Locust

Valley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Thomas More R.C. Church Kitchen Fund at 115 Kings Highway, Hauppauge, N.Y. 11788.