MONSIGNOR GEORGE ROSSBACH, 85

		Native Staten Islander Ordained by NY Archdiocese in 1944 Served as Navy Chaplain for 26 Years Helped counsel Military Families
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Native Staten Islander Monsignor George F. Rossbach, 85, of Oceanside, California, a Navy chaplain who carved out a niche in marriage counseling for military families, died Feb. 12, 2003 at home.

Monsignor Rossbach was born in St. George in 1917. He was born to George E. & Lillian Rossbach on September 17, 1917 on Staten Island. He attended elementary school there and later attended St. Francis Xavier high school in Manhattan. His father served in the New York Fire Department rising to the rank of Battalion Chief and his mother served in the public school system. He was brought to Richmond as a young boy and lived there until he was 18, when he moved to Manhattan to begin his studies.

After several years of theological and other studies at St. Joseph Seminary he was ordained a priest at St. Patrick's Cathedral on March 25, 1944 by Arch-Bishop Francis Spellman. Monsignor Rossbach went on to study theology at St. Joseph's Seminary in Dunwoodie, N.Y.

From 1944 to 1948, Monsignor Rossbach served as the pastor at two New York parishes, first at St. Peter's in Monticello and later at Christ the King in the Bronx.

In 1948 he was granted permission to serve in the US Navy as a Catholic Chaplain. In 1949, just after World War II, he joined the Navy and began his long military career. One of his assignments was on a ship stationed near Seoul during the Korean War. He also served near Cambodia during the Vietnam War. Throughout his 26-year tenure with the Navy, Monsignor Rossbach was also stationed in Maryland, California, Hawaii and Japan. He also reached an additional personal goal by being assigned to the position of Chaplain to the Honolulu Fire Department.

In the late 1960's, he spent two years at the Menninger Foundation, a behavior health hospital in Topeka, Kansas, where he studied marriage counseling. He retired in 1974 as a Commander, with several years of marriage counseling in the Navy under his belt. For the next 26 years, Monsignor Rossbach resided in Hawaii, where he served as a relief priest for vacationing clergy and helped throughout the Diocese of Hawaii. In his leisure time, he devoted himself to church activities.

In 1996 with his health beginning to fail he entered the retirement home, Pohai Nani in Kanehoe, Hawaii and served as the community's chaplain. He served there until January 2000 when further health problems required that he move to California and live with his nephew and family until his death on February 12, 2003. He said mass at home until his passing.

"He spent most of his life counseling people and assisting others," said his nephew.

In addition to his nephew, Monsignor Rossbach is survived by two other nephews, Robert Crowder and William Carey.

His sister Eleanor Crowder-Carey-Murphy was his best friend, supporter and care-giver until her death in 1975.

George is survived by his nephews:

Robert T. Crowder, US Air Force, Retired, who resides in Durham, Maine.

Thomas L. Crowder of Oceanside, California

William F. Carey, US Army, Retired, who resides in Indianapolis, Indiana

On February 16, 2003; A funeral preparation service was held at 1:00 PM at Eternal Hills Memorial Chapel. This service was celebrated by Reverend Ramon R. Marrufo and attended by his fellow military chaplains, his nephew and family and the neighbors and friends he administered to while in California.

On February 20, 2003; A funeral mass was held at 9:30AM at St. Peters Church, 53 St. Marks Place,
Staten Island, New York 10301. The mass was celebrated by Cardinal Egan of the Arch Diocese of New York. Following the mass he was interned at St. Peter's Cemetery, 52 Tyler Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10310 with his Father, Mother and younger Brother.

Sincere appreciation to Virginia Funeral Chapel, Dongan Hills, Staten Island, New York.

The family respectfully suggest that offerings be made to the Retirement Fund for Priests in his name at 1011 First Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

Prayer For Priests

(One of the prayers said everyday by Father George)

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

(2 Timothy 4:1-2, 5)

O Jesus, you desire that we pray the Lord of the harvest to send
zealous laborers into his harvest. In your mercy raise up in your Church,
and especially in this your New York diocese, numerous and holy priests, who
will take your divine heart as their model and in the exercise of their holy
priesthood promote the glory of your heavenly Father and the salvation of
those souls whom you have redeemed with your precious blood. Amen.

O Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the first and eternal Priest
of the Most High, increase the number of those who share in his priesthood
and in his power, and continue the holy mission of your divine Son in the
whole world and especially in our own country. Amen.

From Prayers for Today by Terence Cardinal Cooke

The Cardinal Cooke Guild
1011 First Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 371-1000, ext. 2740