Rev. James F. Gavit
Deceased: 2017-03-02
Diocese: SAGINAW
CSM Graduation Year: 1960
Rev. Fr. James F. Gavit, Beloved Roman Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Saginaw passed away unexpectedly Thursday, March 2, 2017 at his home. Age 87 years. The son of Jennings and Grace (Guest) Gavit, Fr. Jim was born April 22, 1929 in Saginaw, Michigan. H
e graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Saginaw and continued his studies at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John Provincial Seminary in Plymouth. Fr. Jim completed his Graduate Studies in Cannon Law at Lateran University in Rome. He was ordained into the priesthood by The Most Rev. Stephen Woznicki on June 5, 1954 at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw.
During Fr. Jim’s ministry, he served at St. Pancratius Parish in Cass City, St. Boniface Parish in Bay City, SS. Peter & Paul Parish in Saginaw, St. Matthew Parish in Zilwaukee, Holy Spirit Parish in Shields, St. Christopher Parish in Bridgeport, St. George Parish in Saginaw and St. Maria Goretti Parish in Bay City. Fr. Jim also faithfully served the Diocese of Saginaw in numerous ways including Vice- Chancellor, Chancellor, Pro-Synodal Judge, Vicar General and Vicar. He achieved Senior Priest Status on July 14, 2004.
Fr. Jim loved golf very much. If not playing it every day, he was watching it on TV. He also enjoyed walking and reading. He loved spending time with people and getting to know their stories. Pope Francis called on the priests of the world to be, “shepherds living with the smell of the sheep.” Fr. Jim personified this statement perfectly. This is what made him a well loved priest throughout the diocese.
Surviving are many nieces and nephews. Fr. Jim was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters, Albert Gavit, Jennings “Gus” Gavit, Mary Sonntag, Anna Mae Hamann, and Rita Grohman.
Funeral Liturgy will take place 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1035 N. River Road in Saginaw. The Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, D.D., will preside and Rev. Fr. Steven Gavit, Fr. Jim’s nephew, will be the Homilist. Interment will follow in the Priest’s Section of Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Friends may call at Holy Spirit Catholic Church where the family will be present on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass. A Vigil Liturgy, led by Rev. Fr. Peter Gaspeny will take place 7:00 p.m. Tuesday in the church.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
