Cresco, PA
January 19, 2016
M. Rev. Joseph A. Grenier Ph.D, 84, of Cresco, passed through the veil on January 19, 2016 at Pocono Medical Center after a sudden collapse from complication of pneumonia. He was the loving husband of Catherine "Cait" P. (Finnegan) Grenier with whom he celebrated 35 years of marriage.
Born on October 9, 1931 in North Dartmouth, MA, he was the son of the late Joseph A. Grenier Sr. and the late Lauretta (Pariseau) Grenier.
Joseph graduated from Assumption Prep school and Assumption College located in Worcester, MA. Having entered the Augustinians of the Assumption (The Assumptionist Fathers) he was sent to Rome, Italy where he attended Thomas Aquinas University and obtained his Licentiate in Sacred Theology. Joseph was ordained to the Priesthood in the Vatican on December 20, 1958. He taught Latin in Quebec, and later worked as Provincial Secretary for his religious order in NYC. He took his Ph.D in Church History from Fordham University and was adjunct professor at St. John's University in Queens, NY. He served as pastor of Our Lady of Esperanza in Manhattan until he married in 1980. At the age of 60 he took a masters in counseling from Marywood University in Scranton and worked until recently as a counselor and spiritual director. He was a linguist who counseled in English, French, Spanish and Italian. His most recent language studies were in the Irish language.
As a priest, Joseph formed small Celtic Christian communities around the country and was consecrated their bishop in 1997. He continued serving these communities until his death, preparing priests and leading by example.
He was awarded his black belt in Tae Kwon Do at age 75 from Master Nam in Stroudsburg and faithfully practiced it every day. Overall, Joseph's whole life was his family and the Church. He enjoyed woodworking and building household items. Until this week he spent time each day in the woods chopping and splitting wood. He was a virtuous, intelligent, spiritual, and loving man that will be missed by all those he has touched.
In addition to his wife Cait, Joe is survived by his daughter: Rose Grenier, of Boston, MA; His sisters: Helen Belleveau and her husband Ron, of Fitchburg, MA; and Sister Marie-Anne Grenier, CSC, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his sister Agnes Martins.
There will be a viewing held at The Lanterman & Allen Funeral Home on Friday, January 29 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Another viewing will be held from 9-9:30am immediately followed by the a Celtic Christian Funeral Mass on Saturday, January 30 at The Trinity Episcopal Church 44 E Market St, Bethlehem, PA 18018.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Celtic Christian Church, 476 Birch Drive, Cresco, PA 18326.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Lanterman & Allen Funeral Home, 27 Washington Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301. Online condolences may be made at Lantermanallenfh.com