At 9.15 tonight, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua -- Seventh Archbishop of Philadelphia, founder of the Catholic world's first diocesan ministry dedicated to the pastoral care of migrants (the Migration office of the Diocese of Brooklyn), arguably the father of modern canon law in the United States, and one time Associate Pastor of Sacred Hearts-St. Stephen Parish under then pastor, Msgr. Delvecchio -- died in his sleep at his apartment at the city's St Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Retired since 2003, the cardinal was 88. He had been suffering from cancer and dementia over recent years.

Born in Brooklyn to Italian immigrants who would raise ten children, the future cardinal's grit, smarts and relentless work-ethic singled him out from an early age. Known as "Tough Tony" to his seminary students and "Bevy" among friends, his sense of discipline and prominent hatred of cheese often concealed a softer side, one that led him to night school in his 50s to study for a civil law degree in order to serve the needs of a new generation of migrants.

Ordained in 1949 and named chancellor of Brooklyn in 1976, Bevilacqua became an auxiliary to Bishop Francis Mugavero in 1980, was tapped to lead the diocese of Pittsburgh three years later, and in late 1987, was introduced as the successor to John Cardinal Krol as head of the 1.5 million-member Philadelphia church.

Blessed John Paul II elevated Bevilacqua to the College of Cardinals at the consistory of 28 June 1991, conferring on him the title of St Alphonsus on Via Merulana, the mother-church of the Redemptorists. Eight years earlier, his star had been set on its trajectory after the then-auxiliary spearheaded the American implementation of the 1983 Code of Canon Law.

Many older parishioners still recall fond memories of "Fr. Bevilacqua" during his time at Sacred Hearts-St. Stephen, which was notably his only assignment as an associate pastor. Some, such as Terry Scotto, remember entertaining "Fr. Bevilacqua" for big meals at which he was always very kind and humble, even when being served dishes which included cheese, the only great Italian ingredient he did not care for.   

May he rest in Peace. Amen