The unexpected death of Fr. Richard Gross, a Jesuit priest from Massachusetts, has sparked a police investigation in Spain. Gross, aged 80, passed away last Monday in Málaga, the day before he was set to embark on a cruise, as confirmed by Jesuits USA East Province. Details surrounding his death are currently under the scrutiny of local authorities, leaving the Jesuit community in a state of shock and loss.
Fr. Gross, originally from Wrentham, spent a significant part of his life dedicated to education and spiritual guidance. According to information from The Boston Globe, his first assignment after his ordination in 1976 was at BC High as a religion teacher, and spiritual counselor. His career spanned various other academic institutions, including Phillips Academy in Andover, and he served as pastor, director of the Newman Center at the University of Connecticut at Storrs between 1992 and 2002.
Gross's commitment extended beyond his native Massachusetts, reaching institutions such as Vanderbilt University, as noted in a statement covered by NBC Boston. His service as a chaplain placed him at St. Thomas More School in Connecticut, Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio, and La Salle University in Philadelphia. Known for his spontaneous travels, he is remembered for his presence in "unexpected" locations, a trait emblematic of his spirit.
At the time of his death, Fr. Gross had made his home at a residence at Boston College High for the last year, and a half. His life was not just marked by his vocational achievements, but also by his dedication to family. He is survived by three sisters, and he regularly attended to them and their wellbeing. Despite the absence of funeral arrangements, the Jesuit community has expressed their condolences and prayers, "We pray for his eternal peace and comfort for those mourning his loss," a representative for the school imparted to NBC Boston.
