Notice of Death of Archdiocesan Deacon
Deacon Michael Ascolese, a deacon of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, died on March 2, 2026 at the age of 101.
Deacon Ascolese ordained on July 28, 1979 by Archbishop Joseph Bernadin at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains. This was the second ordination cohort in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Upon ordination, he was assigned to St. Bartholomew Parish, Cincinnati. In July, 1988, he was transferred to Our Mother of Sorrows Parish by Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk. He began employment there as a Pastoral Minister.
In August, 2009, Deacon Mike was transferred back to St. Bartholomew after the closing of Our Mother of Sorrows parish. He was granted Senior Status by Archbishop Dennis Schnurr on April 4, 2016.
Deacon Mike also served as a volunteer judge at the Archdiocesan Tribunal as the Defender of the Bond up until the time of his Senior Status.
Deacon Mike served the Church as a Permanent Deacon for forty-six years.
Deacon Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, to whom he was married for seventy-five years before her death in June, 2022. He is survived by their six children Tim, Mark, Chris, Rick, Kevin and Jacqueline and their spouses, ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. You may read Deacon Mike’s obituary at the funeral home’s website here: Deacon Michael Ascolese Obituary
