The Erend Monsignor Robert C. Gribbin
May 21, 1923 — December 25, 2013
The Erend Monsignor Robert C. Gribbin
Rev. Msgr. Robert C. Gribbin, 90, of Abbottstown, entered into God’s eternal care on Wednesday, December 25, 2013 at Misericordia Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in York following a brief illness.
Born on May 21, 1923 in Shamokin, PA, he was a son of the late Leo E. Gribbin, Sr. and Catherine M. Donnelly Gribbin. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Edward S. Gribbin, who was killed in action during World War II in Po Valley, Italy.
Called into the ministry to be a parish priest, he studied for the priesthood at Mount St. Mary's University and Seminary and was ordained at the Cathedral in Harrisburg on May 31, 1947. He served a year at St. Patrick Church in Carlisle and then moved to Hanover to serve as an associate at St. Joseph Catholic Church. In 1950, he served the next 14 years as a principal in Lebanon and Lancaster Catholic Schools as well as Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg. During these years, he earned his master’s degree in Education from Villanova University. He returned to St. Joseph Parish in 1964, where he led the congregation to retire the parish debt and raise funds for a new church and school buildings. Under his leadership, parish membership grew and ministries within the church expanded. In 1996, the Monsignor Gribbin Parish Center at St. Joseph Catholic Church was completed and dedicated on Labor Day, September 2. He called himself a “simple, parish priest” who found extreme happiness in the ministry. He was a prodigious reader and enjoyed traveling. It was once stated that he hoped that through his ministry, people learned the value of being prayerful, remaining faithful to commitments and being steadfast to God and God’s word.
He is survived by a brother, Leo E. Gribbin, Jr. and his wife, Elaine, of York; three nieces, Lisa McGowan and her husband, Dennis of York, Angela Kelly and her husband, Joseph of Phoenixville and Beth Baroody and her husband, Michael of Centerville, VA; one nephew, Robert C. Gribbin of Fenwick Island, DE and seven great-nieces and nephews.
The services will begin 2 pm Sunday, December 29, 2013 when the casket will be received at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Abbottstown. Monsignor Gribbin’s body will lie in state from 2:30 pm to 6 pm, when the Rite of Transfer of the Body will be held.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am Monday, December 30, 2013 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hanover. An additional time of viewing will begin at 9:30 am and end at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in the Priest's Circle area.
In addition to other memorials, contributions may be made to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish 6084 Canal Road, Abbottstown, PA 17301 or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5055 Grandview Road, Hanover, PA 17331.
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Born on May 21, 1923 in Shamokin, PA, he was a son of the late Leo E. Gribbin, Sr. and Catherine M. Donnelly Gribbin. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Edward S. Gribbin, who was killed in action during World War II in Po Valley, Italy.
Called into the ministry to be a parish priest, he studied for the priesthood at Mount St. Mary's University and Seminary and was ordained at the Cathedral in Harrisburg on May 31, 1947. He served a year at St. Patrick Church in Carlisle and then moved to Hanover to serve as an associate at St. Joseph Catholic Church. In 1950, he served the next 14 years as a principal in Lebanon and Lancaster Catholic Schools as well as Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg. During these years, he earned his master’s degree in Education from Villanova University. He returned to St. Joseph Parish in 1964, where he led the congregation to retire the parish debt and raise funds for a new church and school buildings. Under his leadership, parish membership grew and ministries within the church expanded. In 1996, the Monsignor Gribbin Parish Center at St. Joseph Catholic Church was completed and dedicated on Labor Day, September 2. He called himself a “simple, parish priest” who found extreme happiness in the ministry. He was a prodigious reader and enjoyed traveling. It was once stated that he hoped that through his ministry, people learned the value of being prayerful, remaining faithful to commitments and being steadfast to God and God’s word.
He is survived by a brother, Leo E. Gribbin, Jr. and his wife, Elaine, of York; three nieces, Lisa McGowan and her husband, Dennis of York, Angela Kelly and her husband, Joseph of Phoenixville and Beth Baroody and her husband, Michael of Centerville, VA; one nephew, Robert C. Gribbin of Fenwick Island, DE and seven great-nieces and nephews.
The services will begin 2 pm Sunday, December 29, 2013 when the casket will be received at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Abbottstown. Monsignor Gribbin’s body will lie in state from 2:30 pm to 6 pm, when the Rite of Transfer of the Body will be held.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am Monday, December 30, 2013 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hanover. An additional time of viewing will begin at 9:30 am and end at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in the Priest's Circle area.
In addition to other memorials, contributions may be made to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish 6084 Canal Road, Abbottstown, PA 17301 or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5055 Grandview Road, Hanover, PA 17331.
PDF Printable Version
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