He was an unusual person, having experienced four distinct vocations, a single man who was a professional musician; a married man, father of two lovely daughters; upon the death of his wife a cloistered life of silence, work and prayer as a Benedictine brother for 14 years; and finally a call to priestly ordination for the Diocese of Savannah, Ga. His heartfelt devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus, was always at the forefront of his life.
He served in many parishes in the Savannah Diocese as well as Buena Vista, Fla., in the St. Petersburg Diocese. He is the much-loved father of Hope Calabris and Nora Thomas, proud grandfather of Michigan grandchildren Patricia Jaclynn Crosson (Jerrell) and Sondra Miller-Pearson (Aurelio). Great-grandfather of Damani Jerrell II and Makynli. Also survived by his sister Mary Ilckes. Pre-deceased by his siblings Ursula, Phil, Hope and Jack.
The Resurrection Liturgy was celebrated by Fr. Michael Verschaeve on Jan. 19 at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Lake Orion.
Memorial tributes to Guest House, 1601 Joslyn Road, Lake Orion, Michigan 48360.
