Reverend Richard K. Gross, 80, a Wrentham native, died Jan. 20 in the city of Malaga, Jesuits USA East Province said a statement .
Police are investigating after a Catholic priest from Massachusetts died “tragically” last week in Spain while preparing for a cruise, according to his order.
He was “preparing to embark on a cruise” when he died, the statement said. It did not mention a cause of death.
“The USA East Province of the Society of Jesus is shocked and saddened” by his death, the order said. “Fr. Gross was in Málaga to board a cruise ship the following day. Until the full police investigation concludes, we cannot comment further on the details of Fr. Gross’s passing.”
Gross “had served a long career at many schools and institutions as a dedicated chaplain, minister, and teacher,” the order said. “He will be missed.”
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According to Jesuits USA, Gross was ordained in 1976. His first assignment was a “five-year stint at BC High as religion teacher and spiritual counselor,” the Jesuits said.
Gross also served as pastor and director of the Newman Center at the University of Connecticut at Storrs from 1992 to 2002, the order said. He had stints as a chaplain at Vanderbilt University, St. Thomas More School in Connecticut, Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio, and La Salle University in Philadelphia.
“To all of these assignments, Richard Gross brought his trademark self-confidence and buoyant spirit,” the Jesuits said. “He loved to travel and was known for ‘turning up’ in unexpected” places.
He is survived by three sisters and predeceased by a brother, the order said.
“Throughout his life, Richard was extremely devoted to his sisters, taking them to lunch almost monthly, attentive to their declining health,” the Jesuits said.
Funeral information wasn’t immediately available.
This breaking news story will be updated when more information is released.
Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com.
Catholic priest from Mass. dies in Spain while preparing for a cruise
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