Rev. Gerald F. Grace, S.S.E.

Published 10:37 pm Saturday, January 21, 2012

Rev. Gerald F. Grace, S.S.E., 90, died on January 15, 2012.  Father Grace, son of James and Genevieve (Tallon) Grace, was born on October 28, 1921, in Montreal, PQ, Canada. He was a  professed member of the Society of Saint Edmund for 62 years and an Edmundite priest for over 56 years.

Fr. Grace graduated from Saint Michael’s College in 1951. Following his ordination in 1955, Fr. Grace’s journey as a priest began as Traveling Missioner and Director of the Brentwood Traveling Missions based in Stock, England from 1955 until 1965. In 1965, he began working at South Shore Catholic High School in Jacques-Cartier, Quebec and was Pastor at Holy Cross Parish in Boucherville, PQ, Canada until 1969. From 1969 to 1978 he was Pastor at Holy Cross Parish in Rosemere, PQ, Canada and from 1978 to until 1987 he was Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Greenfield Park, PQ, Canada. Fr. Grace’s final ministry was serving in the West River Missions in Putney, Vermont. He was Pastor of St. John Berchman, West Dummerston, VT and Pastor of Our Lady of the Valley in Townshend, VT from 1987 until 1995. Fr. Grace retired in 1995, residing in Englewood, FL.

Besides his brothers in religion, Father Grace is survived by his sister-in-law, Mrs. Adelphine Grace, and nieces, Cheryl, Kathleen, and Laura. He is  also survived by first cousins, Ms. Sheila Kelly, Ms. Carolyn Grace, and Mrs. Karen Rossello. Fr. Grace was predeceased by his brother, James E. Grace, and his nephew Gregory Grace.

A wake service and funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 5265 Placida Road, Englewood, FL. The wake will be at 10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 20. Interment will follow at Fairlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery in Selma, AL. @ 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 23, 2012 directed by Miller Funeral Service of Selma.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Edmundite Southern Missions, 1428 Broad Street, Selma, AL., 36701.