OBITUARY

Father John G. Greaves

Posted

PROVIDENCE — Father John G. Greaves, 90, Pastor Emeritus of the former St. Ann Parish, Cranston, died on Monday, December 6, 2021.
Born in Providence, he was the son of the late John G. and Mary A. (Bailey) Greaves, he attended Saint Paul School in Cranston and LaSalle Academy in Providence.
In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick and at the American College in Louvain, Belgium. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 1958 by Bishop Joseph P. Hurley in Louvain, Belgium.
Following his ordination, Father Greaves was assigned assistant pastor at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence, where he served until his assignment as assistant pastor at Saint Michael Parish, Providence in 1964. In 1968, he was transferred to Saint Rose Parish in Warwick as assistant pastor and served as assistant pastor at Saint Teresa Parish in Pawtucket from 1971 – 1976.
In 1976, Father Greaves was appointed pastor of Saint Mary Parish in Providence, and in 1991 he was transferred as pastor to Saint Ann Parish, Cranston where he served until 2001 when he retired as Pastor Emeritus.
Father Greaves was the Dean of Providence Deanery #4 for two terms and served as Chairman of the Priests’ Personnel Board.
After retirement, he resided in Bristol, and spent considerable time in Naples, Florida, assisting there in various parishes. He resided in Naples, Florida, at the time of his death.
Auxiliary Bishop of Providence Robert C. Evans was the principal celebrant at a concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at Saint Ann Church at Saint George Parish, Cranston. Burial followed in Saint Ann Cemetery, Cranston.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be made to the Fr. John G. Greaves Memorial Trust Fund, c/o Catholic Foundation of Rhode Island, 1 Cathedral Square, Providence, RI 02903.