Redemptorist Father Joseph Gribbon, who served in the missions in Paraguay and in mission parishes in the Southeast United States, died of complications of diabetes on July 19 at St. John Neumann Residence in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He was 77.

Born in Brooklyn, he was raised in Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish, Sunset Park. After one year at Power Memorial H.S., Manhattan, he entered the Redemptorists’ St. Mary’s Seminary in North East, PA. He made his first profession of vows in 1951 and his final profession three years later.

Father Gribbon, C.S.S.R.

He completed his studies for the priesthood at Mount St. Alphonsus in Esopus, NY, and was ordained to the priesthood June 17, 1956.

Father Gribbon’s first assignment was to Bella Vista, Paraguay, where he served for one year. From 1959 to 1961, he was appointed to Pedro Juan Caballero and then, for the next two years, he taught at the seminary in Ponta Grossa. He returned to Pedro Juan Caballero in 1963, serving there until 1967.

Father Gribbon returned to the United States in 1967, assigned to teach Spanish to the seminarians at North East. In the fall of 1970, he was assigned to St. Boniface Church, Philadelphia, and, two years later, he went as rector to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Seaford, DE. He served at Immaculate Conception Church in the Bronx, 1975-76.

In 1976, Father Gribbon joined the band of Redemptorists laboring in the Vice Province of Richmond, extending from Virginia down to Florida. He served in Tampa, FL, for 11 years and then in Ft. Oglethorpe, GA, for three years. In 1991, he was assigned to Holy Family Retreat House in Hampton, VA.
In late 1997, Father Gribbon was transferred to Hapeville, GA; in 1999, in failing health, he was assigned to St. Alphonsus Villa in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Father Gribbon moved to St. John Neumann Residence in 2004.

One of his nephews, Father Michael Gribbon, pastor of Sacred Heart, Cambria Heights, said that he and his 18 cousins did not get to see much of their uncle because of his missionary work.

“I do remember seeing him off on a boat with great admiration for how he was serving the poor and bringing them the Gospel. We all looked up to him,” he said.
Whenever the senior Father Gribbon did get home, there was always a big family gathering to welcome him, he added. Last year, the family gathered at Saratoga Springs to join in the Redemptorists’ annual jubilee celebration.

Family Anniversaries

“It was his 50th anniversary and it was great to honor him,” said Father Michael Gribbon.

“It was a good time for the family, too, since it was also my 25th anniversary. It was wonderful to see my uncle, to know that even though he had had a stroke, he was still appreciated and valued by the Redemptorists.”

Father Gribbon is survived by a sister, Regina Mooney, of Bellvale, NY. He is predeceased by his brothers John (Brother Xavier, C.S.S.R.), Hugh and Michael, and a sister, Mary (Sister St.

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