BURLINGTON — The Rev. John Crispo, a beloved member of the clergy at St. Margaret's Church for 33 years, was killed in a road accident on Route 93 in Lincoln, N.H., Friday morning, according to police and church sources.

The Rev. Crispo, 80, was alone in his car, heading home from what had been a four-day retreat at a monastery, according to published reports.

Lincoln is in the northern part of New Hampshire.

The Rev. John Carmichael, in a telephone interview, said the St. Margaret's congregation learned of the Rev. Crispo's death Friday during the 40-hour eucharistic adoration, an old-time devotion ceremony which was started by the reverend himself.

Later that evening, Carmichael said, a memorial mass was celebrated "with over 400 parishioners."

This continued with a mass at 9 a.m., Saturday, and a vigil mass at 4:30 that day. Both masses "were filled," Carmichael said.

"He was 80 years old and we always knew he would live a long time," said Carmichael.

"The primary duty of a priest is for the care and salvation of souls," Carmichael continued. "And, Father Crispo was always mindful of that.

"But, he was also preparing for his life to come, looking forward to the day the Lord called him home," said Carmichael. "We, as priests, at first, were all shocked. But we are very happy knowing John is in heaven now."

"The parishioners are understandably grief-stricken, losing someone they have had here for 33 years," Carmichael went on to say. "But, to a person, they are also happy he is in heaven."

The news of the Rev. Crispo's death was also announced at weekend masses at many local Catholic churches.

According to Chief Ted Smith of the Lincoln, N.H., Police Department, the Rev. Crispo was driving a Mercury Sable north on Route 93 in Lincoln, when he realized he needed to go south.

Smith said Crispo then attempted to criss-cross the highway in the area marked "for official vehicles only." When the Rev. Crispo attempted to change lanes, his car collided with a Jeep, Smith stated.

The driver of the Jeep, who was not identified, was transported to an area hospital, according to Smith.

The Rev. Crispo grew up in Somerville, and was ordained in 1950.

Arriving in Burlington as an associate pastor in 1973, the Rev. Crispo was appointed pastor in January 1980.

He was a longtime member of the Burlington Community Life Center Board of Directors, and maintained that position at the time of his death.

"He was a good priest because he was a good human being; he was a good man, and thus he was a good priest," the Rev. Peter Shen, a priest-in-residence at St. Margaret's, said, referring to the Rev. Crispo.