Rev. Msgr. John J. Giammona

Deceased: 2015-07-13

Diocese: GRAND RAPIDS

CSM Graduation Year: 1973

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Rev. Monsignor John Joseph Giammona, age 82, of Chandler, Arizona, died there July 13, 2015, after emergency surgery. He was born November 17, 1932 at Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Joseph and Mary (Russo) Giammona.

He began his priestly formation at St. Joseph Seminary, Grand Rapids, followed by Seminaire de Philosophie de Montreal where he earned a PhD in 1955. He completed his clerical education at St. John Provincial Seminary, Plymouth, Michigan. He was ordained to the priesthood at Grand Rapids on June 6, 1959 at the Cathedral of St. Andrew and celebrated his first Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church.

In service of his country, John enlisted as a chaplain in the National Guard in 1960 and was promoted to Captain in 1962. He went on to enlist in the U. S. Army Chaplaincy Corps and completed a tour of duty in Vietnam. In his lengthy career of service to the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Msgr. Giammona was in a pastoral role at Sacred Heart, Muskegon Heights; St. Michael, Brunswick; St. Mary Magdalen, Kentwood; Cathedral of St. Andrew; St. Paul the Apostle, Grand Rapids; and St. Joseph, Weare. In 1981 he was named Chancellor of the Diocese and Rector of the Cathedral of St. Andrew. He retired in 1997.

His parents, six brothers and eight sisters preceded John in death. He is survived by his brother Charles (Vina) of Chandler, sisters Agnes Giammona of Chandler and Rosemary Starr of Kettering, Ohio, sisters-in-law Elizabeth Giammona of San Diego, California, Phyllis Giammona of Chandler, and many cousins in the USA and Italy. He was a beloved uncle to thirty-five nieces and nephews. The date for his funeral at the Cathedral of St. Andrews is pending. May God have him in His holy keeping!