The Most Francis Joseph Reverend Gossman

The Most Reverend Francis Joseph Gossman, 83, died Monday, August 12, 2013 at St. Joseph of the Pines Health Care Center in Southern Pines, N.C. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 1, 1930, to Frank M. and Genevieve Steadman Gossman. At an early age, Bishop Gossman set his heart on serving God and His people as a Catholic Priest. He was graduated from St. Charles College and St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland, and completed graduate studies in Theology at the North American College and Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. Upon returning to the United States after ordination to the Priesthood on December 17, 1955, he obtained a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Catholic University of America. He served in various pastoral and administrative positions in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and was ordained Auxiliary Bishop and named Urban Vicar on September 11, 1968. On May 19, 1975 Bishop Gossman was installed as the fourth Bishop of Raleigh, becoming the chief shepherd of Catholics in the 54 counties of eastern North Carolina from Burlington to the coast. During his 31 years as Bishop of Raleigh, Bishop Gossman won the admiration of many. He was renowned for his dedication to the poor, to social justice and to ecumenism. His adamant support of the sanctity of life compelled him to be supportive not only of the unborn, but also of textile workers, farm workers and laborers in general, as well as those on death row. He is survived by his sister Mary Regina (Jean) Gutberlet and husband Charles of Winchester, Va.; sister-in-law Shirley Gossman, widow of William E. Gossman of Baltimore, Md; and nieces Susan Gossman, Karen Fritz, Linda Pierce, Daryl Puffinburger, and Lisa Gauntlett; and nephews William Gossman and Charles Gutberlet, Jr; various grandnephews and grandnieces; and special friends the McLinden family of Canton, Ohio. A Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 804 High House Road, Cary; the Most Rev. Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Atlanta, principal celebrant; the Rev. Monsignor Gerald L. Lewis, homilist. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Cemetery, 211 Irwin Drive, Newton Grove, the Most Rev. Michael F. Burbidge presiding. Visitations will be as follows: Sunday, 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Monday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. with a Mass at 12:10 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 200 Hillsborough St., Raleigh and Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Church, Cary, prior to the Funeral Mass. Condolences to the Gossman family may be sent to the Diocese of Raleigh, 7200 Stonehenge Drive, Raleigh, NC 27613. On line condolences may be made to the family at www.Bryan-leefuneralhome.com . Services by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC.