In Memoriam
Fr. Francis T. Gignac, SJ
Outside of the classroom, Fr. Frank completed 25 Marine Corps marathons; ran the Boston Marathon four times; and finished the Cherry Blossom 10-mile race in D.C. for 30 years
In Memoriam: Fr. Francis T. Gignac, SJ

Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of our brother, Fr. Francis T. Gignac, SJ (Chicago-Detroit), who died at 12:40 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan, from congestive heart and renal failure.  He was 81 years old.  May he rest in peace.

Frank was born on February 2, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan. He entered the Society of Jesus on September 8, 1950, in Milford, Ohio. He was ordained on June 14, 1967, at Colombiere College in Clarkston, Michigan, and took final vows on April 22, 1979, in Washington, D.C.  Frank graduated from the University of Detroit High School in 1950 before entering the Society.   As a Jesuit Frank earned a Bachelor's degree in Latin (1955), a Master's degree in Classics (1957), and a Licentiate degree in Philosophy (1957) from West Baden College (via Loyola University Chicago).  He earned Doctorate in Greek and Philology from Oxford University in Oxford, United Kingdom (1964).  Frank earned  a Master's degree in Theology from Loyola University Chicago (1968) and an S.T.L. from Bellarmine School of Theology in North Aurora, Illinois (1968). 

During regency Frank taught Latin and Greek at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio (1957-1958).  He was professor of Biblical Theology at Fordham University (1968-1974).  In 1974 Frank became a professor of Biblical Greek and Biblical Studies at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.  From 1981-2003 he was the Chairman of the Biblical Studies Department.  Frank was at Catholic University until he moved to Colombiere Center in 2013.

Outside of the classroom, Frank did Sunday supply work at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Laurel, Maryland, for almost 40 years and ran marathons.  He completed 25 Marine Corps marathons; ran the Boston Marathon four times; and finished the Cherry Blossom 10-mile race in D.C. for 30 years.

 

Wake Service
Monday, June 9, 2014
7:00 p.m.
Colombiere Center
9075 Big Lake Road
Clarkston, MI  48346-1015

 

Mass of Christian Burial
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
10:45 a.m.
Colombiere Center
9075 Big Lake Road
Clarkston, MI  48346-1015

 

Burial Service
Immediately following the funeral.

Memorial gifts
Memorial gifts may be made to The Jesuits, 2050 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614. To make an online contribution, please click here.