Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, diocesan vicar general, was principal celebrant of a Mass of Christian Burial April 27 in Holy Cross Church, Trenton, part of Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, for Deacon John Grussler who died April 21. He was 86.
Born in Trenton, Deacon Grussler attended Trenton Catholic High School before pursuing a teaching degree in St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, N.Y. He spent 55 years teaching in high schools in the Trenton Diocese including Trenton Catholic High School, Cathedral High School, Trenton, and Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville.
He was ordained a deacon May 13, 1989, by Bishop John C. Reiss in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, and was assigned to Holy Cross Parish and later Sacred Heart Parish.
Deacon Grussler was predeceased by his parents, John and Bertha Grussler and granddaughter Shelby Rowe. His daughter, Pamela Grussler Yuhas died four days after her father on April 25.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dorlores Grussler; daughters and sons-in-law Patricia (Jeffrey) Fisk, Jacqueline (Brian) Cantlin, Janice (David) Rowe, and Karen Clayton; 11 grandchildren; seven grandchildren; a brother-in-law and sister-in law, and many nieces and nephews.
Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Hamilton. Memorial donations may be made to Team Gleason teamgleason.org.