Rev. Robert T. Sisk T.O.R.

Fr. Robert T. Sisk, T.O.R., 84, of the Third Order Regular Franciscans of the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, died Friday June 23, 2017, at St. Francis Friary-Mt. Assisi, Loretto. He was born on March 21, 1933 in Johnstown the son of the late Edward J. & Geraldine (Canary) Sisk.   He attended St. Benedict School, Johnstown. He graduated from Bishop McCort High School in 1951.   He worked as a clerk in his father’s grocery store for one year after graduation.   He entered postulancy at Mt. Assisi Monastery, Loretto on September 2, 1952.  He entered novitiate at Portiuncula Monastery, Washington, D.C., on July 4, 1953, and received the religious name Dunstan.  Bro. Dunstan pronounced his first vows on July 5, 1954, at Portiuncula Monastery, Washington, D.C.; he pronounced his solemn vows on July 5, 1957, at Mt. Assisi Monastery, Loretto.  Fr. Robert was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1961, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona by the late Bishop J. Carroll McCormick, D.D., Bishop of the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese.   He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from St. Francis College (University), Loretto in May 1957.  He completed his Theological Studies at St. Francis Seminary, Loretto in 1961.  During his long and very faithful Franciscan life, Fr. Robert ministered in various works of the Province.   His major ministry was in the foreign missions.  From 1962 until 1979, Fr Robert served in Brazil in pastoral, formation, and leadership roles. He was Commissary Provincial from 1969 until 1975; and he was President of the Conference of Religious of the Amazon from 1970 until 1975.   From 1979 until 1990 Fr Robert served once again in the Foreign Missions in South Africa.   He was Commissary Provincial from 1982 until 1990 in South Africa.  When he returned to the United States in 1991, he did a Sabbatical Program at Oblate College, San Antonio, Texas, before becoming pastor of St. Maria Goretti Church, Arlington, Texas.  He served on the Provincial Council of the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and was elected in 1995 to the General Council of the Third Order Regular Franciscans and resided in Rome.   He served as pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Baltimore, Maryland from 2002 until 2012 and remained there until 2015 as pastor emeritus.  In 2015, he moved to Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs Parish, Sarasota, Florida and was priest in residence.   From January 2016 until the present, he was at St. Francis Friary-Mt. Assisi, Loretto in the ministry of prayer.  Fr. Robert is survived by his brothers: Kenneth, Monaca. Edward, Gaithersburg, MD, Patrick, Reading,  and Daniel, Pacific Palisades, California; his sister, Judith, Hawaii, and nieces and nephews and his Franciscan brothers.   He was preceded in death by a sister Sarah.  Friends will be received at the Chapel of St. Francis Friary-Mt. Assisi, Loretto at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday.   The Vigil Service will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at St Francis Chapel-Mt. Assisi, Loretto with the Very Rev. Richard L. Davis, T.O.R., Minister Provincial, as principal celebrant.   Following the Mass, Committal will take place at the Franciscan Friars’ Cemetery, on the campus of St. Francis University, Loretto.  Memorial contributions may be made to support retired T.O.R. Friars, c/o St. Francis Friary, P.O. Box 137, Loretto, PA 15940. Arrangements by Gibbons Funeral Home, 301 Church Street, Gallitzin, PA 16641

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