Pictured with the dedication poster is Fr. Romulo Montero, pastor of Christ Our Hope Parish in French Creek and Sherman and friend of Father Romeo Hontiveros, are Lilia Morgalla, sister of Hontiveros, and Stefanie Morgalla, niece of Hontiveros.

WESTFIELD — Earlier this month, the Parish of St. Dominic in Westfield-Brocton dedicated the Church Hall in Westfield to Father Romeo Hontiveros, their former pastor who died one year ago this weekend.

The new Pastor Fr. David Tourville thought this would be a fitting legacy to the man who served the area for more than five years. The hall will now be named the “Father Romeo Hontiveros Hospitality Hall.” Hontiveros was born in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines.

He attended St. Francis Xavier Regional Seminary in Catalunan Grade, Davan city, Philipines, where he earned a master’s degrees in theology and educational management, as well as a doctoral degree in management. He was ordained in March of 1980.

During Hontiveros’ 41 years of priestly ministry, he served as an assistant pastor and pastor in several parishes in his home diocese and served as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Victory Parish in the Archdiocese of New York for 10 years before being named administrator of St. Dominic Parish in Westfield and Brocton in October 2016, where he served as administrator until his death on April 30, 2021. Church members and those in the event noted that Hontiveros “has been greatly missed.”