PITTSBURGH, PA 

Fr. Norbert Rosso, C.S.Sp., a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit for nearly 70 years, died peacefully on February 9, 2017, at Marion Manor, Greentree, Pa.  He was 89-years-old.

Fr. Rosso was born on October 27, 1927, in Lambertville, N.J.  He professed his vows as a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit on August 22, 1949, at Holy Ghost Novitiate in Ridgefield, Conn., and was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1954, at St. Mary Seminary, Ferndale, in Norwalk, Conn.

Fr. Rosso as a young priest.

Fr. Rosso was first appointed to St. Benedict the Moor Parish, Detroit, Mich., in 1955, serving there for three years; and then to Sacred Heart Parish in Detroit until 1961.  In succeeding years, he ministered at St. Edward, New Iberia, La., and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Bakersfield, Calif.  He was administrator of St. Augustine, Isle Breville, La., from 1969 to 1970.  From 1971 to 1991, he was pastor of Holy Ghost parishes in Marksville, Opelousas and New Orleans, La.  In August of 1991, he was assigned as pastor to Holy Redeemer in San Antonio, Tex., until 1997, when he was named pastor of St. Anthony, Natchitoches, La.  He obtained retirement status in 2001, and was in residence at Spiritan retirement homes in Hemet, Calif., and in Bethel Park, Pa., since 2009.

Fr. Rosso was preceded in death by his parents, Norbert T. and Reba Oblinger Rosso; his brother, James; and sister, Catherine Rosso Curtin.  He is survived by eight nieces and nephews and many grand-nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass was celebrated in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel at the Spiritan Center, Bethel Park, Pa., on Wednesday, February 15, 2017.  On February 25, there will be a viewing from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Lambertville, N.J., immediately followed by a Mass at 11:00 a.m.  Burial will take place at the Spiritan Cemetery, Bensalem, Pa.

Condolences may be sent to his niece, Kathleen Semko, 169 N. Union St., Lambertville, N.J. 08530.