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September 28, 2018BERLIN - Bishop McManus will be principal celebrant at a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, in St. Joseph the Good Provider Church for Father Robert M. Spellman, 74, who died Sept. 22 at UMass Medical Center in Worcester.
Father Spellman was pastor emeritus of St. Joseph the Good Provider Parish.
He was born July 13, 1944 in New York City, the son of James F. and Margaret (Dolan) Spellman. He was raised in Mt. Vernon, NY, and graduated from Archbishop Stepinac High School, Class of 1968. He earned his undergraduate degree from St. Michael College in Santa Fe, NM, and studied for the priesthood at Wadhams Hall, Ogdensburg, N.Y., and Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, CT.
He was ordained a priest May 4, 1974 in St. Paul Cathedral by Bishop Flanagan. He served associate pastor assignments in the parishes of St. Mary’s in Southbridge, St. Francis of Assisi in Fitchburg, Our Lady of the Lake in Leominster, St. Mary’s in Uxbridge, Our Lady of the Assumption in Millbury, Our Lady of the Rosary in Worcester, and St. Anne’s in Shrewsbury.
On Aug. 2, 1999 he was named pastor of St. Joseph the Good Provider Parish in Berlin, where he remained until his retirement in 2015.
He is survived by his siblings, Mary Spellman of Eastchester, NY; Ann Spellman of Melbourne, FL; and James F. Spellman, Jr. & companion Jun Park of Peekskill, NY; several cousins, extended family and many dear friends. He is pre-deceased by his parents, James F. and Margaret (Dolan) Spellman, and step-mother Eva Spellman.
Father Spellman proudly ministered to a great people of faith and served his many communities as chaplain of police and fire departments.
Visitation and wake will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday in St. Joseph the Good Provider Church, followed by a vigil service at 7 p.m. Private burial will be in St. Michael Cemetery, Pawcatuck, Conn.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Father Robert M. Spellman to: Diocese of Worcester, Priest Retirement Fund, 49 Elm St., Worcester, MA 01609.
