Date of death: 5/14/2011
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1956
Father Gregory, 81, a Benedictine monk of Marmion Abbey died at the abbey, attended by his brother monks. Father Gregory was born on Dec. 7, 1929, the second of two sons of the late Clifton and Madeline Haller Obee. He was baptized Richard at St. Teresa Church, Toledo, OH. He left home in 1948 at the age of 19 to study for the priesthood at Saint Meinrad Seminary, St. Meinrad, IN. He entered Marmion Abbey in 1950 and professed his first vows there on Aug. 6, 1951, taking the name Gregory. He made solemn profession of vows on Aug. 15, 1955. Father Gregory was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1956. In 1967 he earned a master’s degree in fine arts at the University of Notre Dame. From 1956 through 1975, Father Gregory taught art, religion, English and mathematics at Marmion Academy. He was editor of the academy’s yearbook for many of those years and an accomplished photographer. From 1970 to 1984 he was the manager of the academy’s bookstore, as well as kitchen master and purchasing agent for several years. He was later assigned as the purchasing agent and procurator (building manager) of Marmion Abbey until 1992.After this time his health began to deteriorate, yet he continued to be faithful to community life and to limited pastoral ministry. Throughout his life, Father Gregory was well known for his artistic work. He was especially known for his ceramics, enamels, paintings and metalwork, many of which adorn the abbey and the homes of his family and friends. He continued his artwork until his eyesight began seriously to deteriorate during the final years of life. He is survived by the members of his monastic community, his sister-in-law, Florence Obee of Toledo, OH, and seven nieces and nephews and their children. Information obtained from The Observer, Diocese of Rockford online, www.observer.rockforddiocese.org