Frank Alagna

Rhinecliff - The Rev. Frank J. Alagna, Episcopal priest, counselor, and passionate advocate for immigrant justice, died Saturday, November 29, 2025 at the age of 80.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Marie Incivilito and Anthony Alagna, Frank grew up in a close-knit Sicilian immigrant family. From his earliest years, the church shaped his life, leading him at age 17 to enter Maryknoll Seminary. Ordained in 1971, his first assignments took him to Seattle and later Hong Kong, where he studied Chinese and worked with refugee communities.

After earning a doctorate in psychology at the University of Connecticut, Frank left Maryknoll and was received as a priest into the Episcopal Church by Bp. Paul Moore Jr. in 1981. He combined priestly ministry with counseling, first in New York City and later in the Hudson Valley. In 1986 he and his spouse, John Meehan, principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, made their home in Rhinecliff, where they shared 45 years of life together, marrying when the law allowed.

Frank served as Vicar of St. Margaret’s in Staatsburg for 18 years, Interim at St. Andrew’s in Beacon for 2 years, and Vicar then Rector of Holy Cross/Santa Cruz in Kingston for 13 years. At Holy Cross/Santa Cruz, he guided two congregations into a single, bilingual parish rooted in justice and shared ministry.

Following the 2016 election, Frank helped lead Kingston’s declaration as a Sanctuary City and co-founded the Ulster Immigrant Defense Network, now a county-wide coalition serving over 1,000 immigrant families each month through the passion of 400 volunteers.

He is remembered as a pastor of courage, a counselor of wisdom, and a relentless advocate for the poor and the stranger.

Frank is survived by his beloved spouse, John Meehan, his sister Joan Rosillo, his stepson Robert (Rob) Whitcher, his daughter-in-law Tracy, his grandchildren Gavin, Luke and Grant, his nieces and nephews, Lorraine, Vincent, Maria, Karen and Anthony, extended family, countless friends.

The Visitation (Wake) will be held on Thursday, December 4th at Holy Cross/Santa Cruz Episcopal Church, 30 Pine Grove Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401 from 1 to 4 pm for those who wish to pay their respects to the family

A Liturgy of the Resurrection will be celebrated at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 104 Wurts Street, Kingston, NY 12401, on Friday, December 5th at 1:00 pm, with burial to follow at the Rhinebeck Cemetery (Natural Burial section), 3 Mill Road, Rhinebeck, NY 12572, on Monday, December 8th at 9 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ulster Immigrant Defense Network, c/o Holy Cross Santa Cruz, 30 Pine Grove Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401, continuing the work to which Frank gave his life.

Arrangements under the direction of the Dapson Chestney Funeral Home, Rhinebeck, NY. 

To Stream Live Services please visit - https://youtube.com/@redeemerkingston

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