Celebrating the life of
Father Robert Girardeau
November 25, 1962 - March 20, 2011
Reverend Robert Alan Girardeau
Brooklet--Father Robert Alan Girardeau, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Americus, died early Sunday in Americus.
Father Girardeau was born in San Diego, California on November 25, 1962. His family moved to Bulloch County in 1976. He graduated from Southeast Bulloch High School and Georgia Southern University.
He was an active member of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Statesboro where Father later Monsignor Lawrence Lucree was instrumental in his decision to enter the priesthood. He attended Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland and was ordained a priest by Bishop Raymond W. Lessard at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah in June 1993.
Following ordination, these were his assignments:
Parochial vicar at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Savannah, June-August, 1993.
Parochial vicar at St. James Parish, Savannah, August 1993 - June 1998.
Parochial vicar at St. Mary on the Hill Parish, Augusta July 1998 - June 2001.
Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Waycross and its mission, St. Raymond's, Alma July 2001 - June 2003.
Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Columbus and its mission, St. Mary Magdalen, Buena Vista, July 2003 -June 2008.
Pastor of St. Mary Church, Americus July 2008 to the present. St. Michael's in Montezuma became a mission of St. Mary's in October 2010.
He also served on the Presbyteral Council 2004 – 2007 and on the diocesan College of Consultors 2005 to the present.
Father Girardeau's father, Jerry Lynn Girardeau, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his mother, Margaret Ford Girardeau; and four brothers, Paul Anthony Girardeau and his wife, Beth, of Marietta; Mark Allan Girardeau and his wife, Rosemary of Brooklet; Brian Lynn Girardeau and his wife, Amanda of Guyton, and Daniel Lynn Girardeau and his wife, Marie of Savannah, and several nieces and nephews and aunts and uncles.
A Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Americus. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Statesboro. The Funeral Mass will be held at Noon on Thursday, March 24 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah followed by burial at the Catholic Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family in care of the Catholic Pastoral Center, 601 East Liberty Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.
Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
Father Girardeau has been a friend of ours since we lived in Savannah and attended St. James church. We later moved to Augusta and he was at St. Mary's on The Hill and we were so happy to see him. He has always been a compassionate man. We will miss him.
- Becky Herzberg, Augusta, GA
I was so saddened to learn of Fr. Robert's death. He was here in Waycross at St. Joseph's for just shy of two years. But in that short time, his love of his ministry and his joy for life permeated our parish. I was disappointed when he was moved, but always hoped he would come back. My hopes are gone with his passing. But to know the joy he is experiencing in Heaven is a great comfort. My prayers are with his family, especially his mother, and all his friends and parishioners, former and present. May God comfort us all in our time of sorrow.
- Michele Harris, Waycross, GA
I was very sad and shocked to hear of Father Robert's death. He was the Priest at St. James Catholic Church and School for 5 years while I attended the school and I was an altar Server for him. He was a remarkable Priest and a wonderful mentor. I was very sad when he left St. James. I know he is in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
- Holly Ruf Jones, Eatonton, GA
I just received word of Fr. Robert's passing and am very saddened by the news. He was a close friend to me while he served at St. Joseph parish in Waycross, and I was the Presbyterian Pastor there. The legacy of scholarship, compassion, gentleness and brotherhood that he extended to those blessed to know him is one that is hard to match. My prayers go out to the Girardeau family, friends, parishes, and diocese in this season of mourning. Certainly the joy of the Lord is his, and the legacy of love he leaves behind will take eternity to prove the gifts of Christ extended through his ministry. Peace in Christ, The Rev. J Faulkner Martin, First Presbyterian Church Fort Dodge, Iowa
- The Rev. Jeff Martin, Fort Dodge, IA
So sorry to hear of your family's loss. I remember meeting Robert years ago when I was in Georgia. Words are such inadequate tools at a time like this. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
- Kerry Petkewich Bremer, Ayer, MA
Father Girardeau has been a friend of ours since we lived in Savannah and attended St. James church. We later moved to Augusta and he was at St. Mary's on The Hill and we were so happy to see him. He has always been a compassionate man. We will miss him.
- Becky Herzberg, Augusta, GA
I was so saddened to learn of Fr. Robert's death. He was here in Waycross at St. Joseph's for just shy of two years. But in that short time, his love of his ministry and his joy for life permeated our parish. I was disappointed when he was moved, but always hoped he would come back. My hopes are gone with his passing. But to know the joy he is experiencing in Heaven is a great comfort. My prayers are with his family, especially his mother, and all his friends and parishioners, former and present. May God comfort us all in our time of sorrow.
- Michele Harris, Waycross, GA
I was very sad and shocked to hear of Father Robert's death. He was the Priest at St. James Catholic Church and School for 5 years while I attended the school and I was an altar Server for him. He was a remarkable Priest and a wonderful mentor. I was very sad when he left St. James. I know he is in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
- Holly Ruf Jones, Eatonton, GA
I just received word of Fr. Robert's passing and am very saddened by the news. He was a close friend to me while he served at St. Joseph parish in Waycross, and I was the Presbyterian Pastor there. The legacy of scholarship, compassion, gentleness and brotherhood that he extended to those blessed to know him is one that is hard to match. My prayers go out to the Girardeau family, friends, parishes, and diocese in this season of mourning. Certainly the joy of the Lord is his, and the legacy of love he leaves behind will take eternity to prove the gifts of Christ extended through his ministry. Peace in Christ, The Rev. J Faulkner Martin, First Presbyterian Church Fort Dodge, Iowa
- The Rev. Jeff Martin, Fort Dodge, IA
So sorry to hear of your family's loss. I remember meeting Robert years ago when I was in Georgia. Words are such inadequate tools at a time like this. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
- Kerry Petkewich Bremer, Ayer, MA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
