Obituary for Rev. Robert P. Susa
Obituary
The Reverend Robert P. Susa
The Reverend Robert P. Susa, (87), died Saturday, June 25 at his residence in St. Mary’s at Asbury Ridge, Erie.
Father Susa was born on May 10, 1935 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Susa.
After attending Sacred Heart Elementary School in Sharon, he entered St. Mark Seminary and attended classes at Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie. In 1953 he began studies at Gannon College (now University) in Erie and in 1955 continued his studies at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York, where he obtained his B.A. in 1957. He completed his formation for the priesthood at Theological College in Washington, DC, obtaining a Masters in Economics, and was ordained a priest on May 11, 1961 at St. Peter Cathedral by The Most Reverend Edward P. McManaman.
Father Susa began his priestly ministry as a member of the faculty of Gannon College and continued to serve there until shortly before his retirement in 2008. During his 46 years as a Gannon University faculty member, he held many positions, among them professor of economics, chairperson of the economics and finance departments, founding director of the Honors Program (a position he held for twenty years), ombudsman, and mentor for new faculty. He was the first director of the Gannon College Center of Economics Education. He was also faculty advisor for Pax Christi and presented a senior seminar on peace and justice.
His priestly ministry extended beyond Gannon to his fellow priests and to the community at large. With several other priests of the diocese, he began the Erie Priests’ Discussion Group, which was later known as the Association of Erie Priests. Among its activities were days of prayer and fasting for all the priests in the diocese. He was also appointed the first Dean of the newly constituted Gannon University Deanery in 1991.
Father Susa was passionate about his role as the associate national coordinator of Pax Christi USA, a movement supporting Christian nonviolence.
In 1977, Father Susa was granted bi-ritual faculties and assisted at Ss. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church in Erie. From 1985 until his retirement, he served as one of the chaplains at Mount St. Benedict Monastery, Erie.
In 2008, Father Susa was honored with the Distinguished Faculty Award at Gannon University. That same year he received the Archbishop Gannon Medal of Distinction.
Father Susa is survived by his siblings, Philip Susa (Suzanne) of Succasunna, New Jersey, Paula Williams (Chris), of Somerset, New Jersey, Mary Beth Heberle (Bill) of Payson, Arizona and Bonnie Arcuri (Ralph) of West Middlesex, Pennsylvania.
Visitation will be on Friday, July 1 from 10:00-11:00am at the Mary Seat of Wisdom Chapel of Gannon University, 520 Peach St, Erie, PA 1650, followed immediately by the Funeral Mass at 11:00am, with Bishop Lawrence T. Persico as the main celebrant.
Memorials may be made to Gannon University to the “SHEIK Fraternity Endowed Scholarship Honoring Fr. Robert Susa”.
The Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc is in charge of arrangements. Send condolences to www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com
The Reverend Robert P. Susa
The Reverend Robert P. Susa, (87), died Saturday, June 25 at his residence in St. Mary’s at Asbury Ridge, Erie.
Father Susa was born on May 10, 1935 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Susa.
After attending Sacred Heart Elementary School in Sharon, he entered St. Mark Seminary and attended classes at Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie. In 1953 he began studies at Gannon College (now University) in Erie and in 1955 continued his studies at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York, where he obtained his B.A. in 1957. He completed his formation for the priesthood at Theological College in Washington, DC, obtaining a Masters in Economics, and was ordained a priest on May 11, 1961 at St. Peter Cathedral by The Most Reverend Edward P. McManaman.
Father Susa began his priestly ministry as a member of the faculty of Gannon College and continued to serve there until shortly before his retirement in 2008. During his 46 years as a Gannon University faculty member, he held many positions, among them professor of economics, chairperson of the economics and finance departments, founding director of the Honors Program (a position he held for twenty years), ombudsman, and mentor for new faculty. He was the first director of the Gannon College Center of Economics Education. He was also faculty advisor for Pax Christi and presented a senior seminar on peace and justice.
His priestly ministry extended beyond Gannon to his fellow priests and to the community at large. With several other priests of the diocese, he began the Erie Priests’ Discussion Group, which was later known as the Association of Erie Priests. Among its activities were days of prayer and fasting for all the priests in the diocese. He was also appointed the first Dean of the newly constituted Gannon University Deanery in 1991.
Father Susa was passionate about his role as the associate national coordinator of Pax Christi USA, a movement supporting Christian nonviolence.
In 1977, Father Susa was granted bi-ritual faculties and assisted at Ss. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church in Erie. From 1985 until his retirement, he served as one of the chaplains at Mount St. Benedict Monastery, Erie.
In 2008, Father Susa was honored with the Distinguished Faculty Award at Gannon University. That same year he received the Archbishop Gannon Medal of Distinction.
Father Susa is survived by his siblings, Philip Susa (Suzanne) of Succasunna, New Jersey, Paula Williams (Chris), of Somerset, New Jersey, Mary Beth Heberle (Bill) of Payson, Arizona and Bonnie Arcuri (Ralph) of West Middlesex, Pennsylvania.
Visitation will be on Friday, July 1 from 10:00-11:00am at the Mary Seat of Wisdom Chapel of Gannon University, 520 Peach St, Erie, PA 1650, followed immediately by the Funeral Mass at 11:00am, with Bishop Lawrence T. Persico as the main celebrant.
Memorials may be made to Gannon University to the “SHEIK Fraternity Endowed Scholarship Honoring Fr. Robert Susa”.
The Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc is in charge of arrangements. Send condolences to www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com