Father Robert A. Girardeau

Reverend Robert Alan Girardeau Brooklet--Father Robert Alan Girardeau, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Americus, died early Sunday in Americus. Father Girardeau was born in San Diego, California on November 25, 1962. His family moved to Bulloch County in 1976. He graduated from Southeast Bulloch High School and Georgia Southern University. He was an active member of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Statesboro where Father (later Monsignor) Lawrence Lucree was instrumental in his decision to enter the priesthood. He attended Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland and was ordained a priest by Bishop Raymond W. Lessard at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah in June 1993. Following ordination, these were his assignments: Parochial vicar at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Savannah, June-August, 1993. Parochial vicar at St. James Parish, Savannah, August 1993 - June 1998. Parochial vicar at St. Mary on the Hill Parish, Augusta July 1998 - June 2001. Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Waycross and its mission, St. Raymond’s, Alma July 2001 - June 2003. Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Columbus and its mission, St. Mary Magdalen, Buena Vista, July 2003 -June 2008. Pastor of St. Mary Church, Americus July 2008 to the present. St. Michael’s in Montezuma became a mission of St. Mary’s in October 2010. He also served on the Presbyteral Council (2004 – 2007) and on the diocesan College of Consultors (2005 to the present). Father Girardeau’s father, Jerry Lynn Girardeau, preceded him in death. He is survived by his mother, Margaret Ford Girardeau; and four brothers, Paul Anthony Girardeau and his wife, Beth, of Marietta; Mark Allan Girardeau and his wife, Rosemary of Brooklet; Brian Lynn Girardeau and his wife, Amanda of Guyton, and Daniel Lynn Girardeau and his wife, Marie of Savannah, and several nieces and nephews and aunts and uncles. A Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Americus. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Statesboro. The Funeral Mass will be held at Noon on Thursday, March 24 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah followed by burial at the Catholic Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family in care of the Catholic Pastoral Center, 601 East Liberty Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. Hancock Funeral Home, 427 South Lee Street, Americus, Georgia 31709, phone, 229-924-3645 is in charge of arrangements. To pay your condolences online, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com Hancock Funeral Home, 427 South Lee Street, Americus GA is in charge of arrangements.