GREENSBORO — Deacon Timothy F. Rohan, 87, of Greensboro, passed away peacefully at his home Nov. 22, 2022, surrounded by his family.
A vespers prayer service will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro. Immediately after, the family will receive friends in the parish banquet hall until 8:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, at Our Lady of Grace Church, with burial and a reception to follow. Our Lady of Grace Church is located at 2203 W. Market St. in Greensboro.
Timothy Rohan was born on May 12, 1935, in Brooklyn, N.Y., into a large Irish family. He met his wife of 64 years, Eileen, in elementary school and they were lifelong best friends. He began working for Western Electric as a teenager, later graduating from St. John’s University and becoming a systems engineering manager, responsible for the connectivity of the nation’s telephone networks. The family moved to North Carolina in 1975 when his job was relocated.
He was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 18, 1988. Several years later he retired from Western Electric to focus on his many ministerial duties at his home parish, Our Lady of Grace. He also served as business manager of the parish for many years.
Over his 30 years of service, “Deacon Tim” touched the lives of many before his retirement in 2018. He always shared his smile, wisdom and faith in everything he did, whether it was bringing food for Urban Ministries, officiating at weddings and performing baptisms, or delivering homilies that gave parishioners the lift they needed. Deacon Tim was also instrumental in starting Perpetual Adoration at Maryfield retirement community in High Point, and over the years his favorite ministry was visiting and bringing Holy Communion to the homebound. He was truly the embodiment of the hands of God at work on earth.
He cherished his family life, had a tremendous sense of humor, had a fondness for Irish music and was an avid Tarheels fan. He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas Rohan and Honoria Moriarity; and his siblings Thomas, Eileen, Patrick and John.
Those left to treasure his memory include his wife Eileen; and children Eileen, Tim, Sue, Simril (Mitch), Roberta and Tom. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Rohan. He adored his six grandchildren: Patty Snider (Aaron), Elizabeth, Timothy, Catherine, Sam and Kayla. In his later years, his three great-grandchildren, Paisley, Oliver and Nora Snider, also brought him great joy.
He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the “Grace Fund” at Our Lady of Grace Church, 2203 W Market St., Greensboro, N.C. 27403. Please write “In Memory of Deacon Tim Rohan” on the check memo line. To donate online, go to the parish website at www.olgchurch.org and click on the donation button on the right of the page.
Forbis & Dick Funeral Service – North Elm Chapel of Greensboro is in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Father Christopher Michael Riehl, former pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Waynesville, passed away Nov. 10, 2022, from medical complications related to diabetes.
He had just celebrated his 45th birthday on Nov. 7, 2022, and he was a week shy of his 13th anniversary of priestly ordination.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 1041 N. Central St. in Knoxville, Tenn. Family will receive friends before the service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 1 Mount Olivet Dr. in Chattanooga, Tenn.
He was born in Gowen, Mich., on Nov. 7, 1977. After having moved around during his childhood, he settled in Jefferson City, Tenn., where he graduated from high school. While studying for – and subsequently earning – an associate’s degree with an emphasis in law at Walter State Community College, he began discerning a call to the priesthood. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Conception Seminary in Conception, Mo., and a Master of Divinity from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa.
In May 2007, he shared the distinction of being ordained a deacon alongside his father, John Riehl, by the Most Rev. Joseph E. Kurtz, archbishop of Louisville. They were ordained at Holy Trinity Church in Jefferson City, their home parish.
On Nov. 14, 2009, Father Riehl was ordained a priest by the Most Rev. Richard F. Stika, bishop of Knoxville.
Father Riehl loved sports, regularly played golf, watched football with his family and friends, and frequently explored the outdoors. While he was also an excellent cook who found immense joy preparing exceptional meals for those he loved, his true love was for Our Lord Jesus Christ and His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through his deep devotion to Mary, Mother of God, Father Riehl had recently published a book entitled “Listen to Our Lady” and was working on a second book.
Father Riehl spent several years in ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte, including as administrator and later pastor of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Waynesville and Immaculate Conception Mission in Canton from 2014 to 2017. Prior to that, he served at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Charlotte from 2013 to 2014.
Father Riehl is survived by his parents, Deacon John and Shirley Riehl; siblings Suzie, Jeff, Jennifer, Tony, Cindy and Tim; and 11 nieces and nephews. He will be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to know a beloved son and brother.
Click Funeral Home & Cremations – Middlebrook Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald