Obituary - Posted: 12/15/05
Father Harold Gavin
Father Gavin, 79, of Wabasha, MN died early Tuesday morning, December 13, 2005 at St. Elizabeths Medical Center in Wabasha.
Harold Edward Gavin was born October 2, 1926, in Caledonia, to Owen and Anne (Hayes) Gavin. He graduated from Loretto High School in 1944. He attended Loras College in Dubuque, IA and Catholic University in Washington D.C.
He was ordained in 1951 by Bishop Edward Fitzgerald at St. Stanisalus Church in Winona. After a year at St. Stanisalus, he became Assistant Principal of Cotter High School and Administrator of Precious Blood Parish in La Moille. In 1956 he was named Principal of Pacelli High in Austin, and Pastor of Queen of Peace Parish in Lyle.
Three years later he was transferred to St. Columba in Iona, where he also served as Superintendent of the Catholic schools there. As pastor he has served the parishes in Avoca, Canton, Mabel, Altura, Elba, Canton, Claremont, Millville, Hammond, West Albany, Waldorf, Winnebago and Delavan.
In 1991 he was named pastor of St. Agnes and Immaculate Conception parishes in Kellogg, where he remained until his retirement in January, 2000. During Parish Ministries he was a very active speaker and lecturer for AA and worked in many treatment centers including Veterans Hospital in Minneapolis, Metropolitan Treatment Center in Minneapolis, St. Johnís Treatment Center in St. Paul, Rochester State Hospital, Fountain Lake in Albert Lea, and Cannon Falls Treatment Center. He gave many lectures to high school students.
Survivors include two sisters, Mary Burg of Caledonia, and Helen Heinen of St. Paul; four brothers, Jim (Phyllis) Gavin of Ironton, MN, Lawrence (Elaine) Gavin and Bill (Josephine) Gavin, both of Caledonia, and Robert (Ruby) Gavin of Nazareth, PA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Earl, John and Joseph and one sister, Mildred.
A Vigil Service will be at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 15, at St. Elizabeths Hospital Chapel in Wabasha, with visitation one-half hour prior to the service. The Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 16, at St. Maryís Catholic Church in Caledonia, with Visitation from 9 a.m. until time of service, with Celebrant Bishop Bernard J. Harrington and Concelebrants Father Donald Leary and Father Pat Arens. A Memorial Mass will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 22, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Kellogg, with Celebrant Father William Kulas. Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 23 at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Caledonia.
Schleicher Funeral Homes, Lake City, was in charge of the arrangements.
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