Rev. Gregory R. Hite
Deceased: 2021-10-28
Diocese: TOLEDO
Seminary Graduation Year: 1981
The Reverend Gregory R. Hite, priest of the Catholic Diocese of Toledo, surrendered his soul to God on October 28, 2021, in Perrysburg, Ohio. He was 66 years old.
Father Hite, a native of Toledo, Ohio, attended Gesu Elementary School, Toledo; St. Francis DeSales High School, Toledo (Class of 1973); and the Athenaeum of Ohio (St. Gregory Seminary), Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in 1977 having earned a bachelor’s degree in English, magna cum laude. Father Hite continued his preparation for the priesthood at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (the “Angelicum”), Rome, Italy, where he earned his Baccalaureate of Sacred Theology in 1980. He also attended the Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm, from 1980-81, where he began studies for an advanced degree in Systematic Theology.
In 1981, he was ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop James R. Hoffman and received his first assignment as Parochial Vicar at St. Mary’s Parish, Sandusky, Ohio; where he was also full-time religion instructor, department chair, and chaplain to the high school (1981-86). In 1986, Father Hite was assigned to complete his Licentiate in Sacred Theology at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., where he completed his degree in 1988. From 1988-94, Father Hite was Parochial Vicar and high school Principal at St. Wendelin parish, Fostoria, Ohio. During this same time, he earned a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration, magna cum laude, from the University of Dayton (1991). In 1994, he undertook his first Pastorate at St. Mary of the Snows parish, Mansfield, Ohio, where he ministered to the parish, and served as part-time chaplain at Mansfield Correctional Institution – a chaplaincy he continued until 1999.
From 1999-2004, Father Hite was President of Central Catholic High School, Toledo, Ohio; his first assignment in Toledo. In 2004, he then became the third Pastor of St. Joan of Arc parish, Toledo, where he served the faithful for seven blessed years. In 2011, Bishop Leonard P. Blair asked Father Hite to assume the leadership of the parish as Pastor of St. Peter’s Parish, Mansfield, Ohio. This was Father Hite’s return to the Mansfield area, and Richland County. During his tenure, he oversaw the restoration of St. Peter’s Church (completed in 2018) and served as local superintendent of the school system. Also, during this assignment, he served as local Dean, was a member of the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Toledo and served as a member of the College of Consultors to Bishop Daniel E. Thomas.
Father Hite loved his priesthood, and was faithful to his ministry, often thanking the Lord for the great associate pastors that he worked with throughout the years. He also mentored several seminarians and was grateful for the opportunity to share his experiences of priesthood with them. He loved music, gardening, and especially cooking. He would often say, “Cooking takes time, if you want to do it right.” He also loved the history of Rome, especially the ancient history of the republic. He enjoyed traveling to Rome, throughout Europe and vacationing with friends.
Father Hite was preceded in death by his loving parents, Alma L. (Couturier) Hite (+1990) and Richard G. Hite (+2014). He is survived by his loving brother, Allan; sister-in-law, Rose Hite; nephew, Corey (Syndie); niece, Erin; grandniece, Riley; and grandnephew, Declan Hite; many loving friends and extended family.
Visitation will be held from 2-7 p.m., Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, 2535 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo, beginning with the Rite of Reception at 2:00 p.m. and concluding with Evening Prayer at 7:00 p.m. Additional visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., Thursday, November 4, 2021, in the Cathedral with funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. The Most Rev. Daniel E. Thomas, Bishop of Toledo, will preside and the Rev. Monsignor Charles E. Singler will be the homilist. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery, Toledo.
Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Seminarians Education Fund, Catholic Diocese of Toledo, or the Sisters of the Visitation Monastery, Toledo.
