Rev. Paul Robert “Fr. Bob” DeGrandis, SSJ, age 86, a resident of Baltimore, MD and former resident of New Orleans, LA, died Monday August 6, 2018, at Sunny Acres Nursing home in Chelmsford, MA. He was born in Dracut on January 28 1932, and was a son of the late Leo A. and Mary Elizabeth (Mosa) DeGrandis. He was a graduate of St. Michael Grammar School and Keith Academy, both in Lowell. He was a longtime Boy Scout and proudly achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Upon Fr. Bob’s graduation from Keith Academy he entered into the seminary for the Society of St. Joseph. In 1959 he was ordained in the Josephite Order at the National Shrine in Washington, DC. On June 14, 1959 he celebrated his first Mass at the Immaculate Conception Church in Lowell. He served the Worldwide Catholic Charismatic Renewal Community in full-time ministry since 1979. His central message of God’s love and the power of forgiveness has been brought to little gatherings in country churches to national stadiums. Father Bob has contributed to the growth of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal through teaching, leadership training, and healing services across the United States and in more than 35 countries throughout the world. He is survived by a sister Dorothea (DeGrandis) Sudol of Lowell, MA, a nephew Stephen A. Sudol and his wife MaryJo of Dracut, and a niece, Kathleen M. Messenheimer and her husband William R. of Ft. Myers, FL. He was also the brother of the late F. Gloria Silin. The family of Fr. DeGrandis would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of Sunny Acres Nursing home for their wonderful and compassionate care.

ARRANGEMENTS – Fr. DeGrandis will lie in state on Thursday from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at St. Francis Church in Dracut, MA, followed by his Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM at the church. Burial in St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fr. Degrandis’ memory to Beacon Hospice, 290 Merrimack St., Suite 242, Lawrence, MA 01843, or to the Society of St. Joseph, 911 West Lake Ave., Baltimore, MD 21210.

For condolences, please visit www.mckennaouellette.com.

Published in TheNewOrleansAdvocate.com from Aug. 13 to Aug. 16, 2018

  |