Rev. John R. Roos, 86

A funeral Mass was offered Jan. 10 at St. Mary's Church, Cooperstown, for Rev. John Roos, who died Jan. 3. He was 86 and had been a priest of the Albany Diocese for 61 years.

A native of Albany, he was chaplain at St. Peter's Hospital and associate pastor at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany; he also studied canon (Church) law and served the diocesan Tribunal. He was chaplain for The College of Saint Rose in Albany and rector of Mater Christi Seminary in Albany, and served as pastor of St. Joseph's parish in Scotia, St. James in Fort Plain, Annunciation in Ilion and St. Mary's in Cooperstown. After his 2000 retirement, he continued to serve as sacramental minister for St. Thomas the Apostle parish in Cherry Valley.

Father Roos once told The Evangelist, "There's a quote I've always liked: 'If Jesus is for real, things fit. Without Him, nothing makes any sense at all.'"

On his 50th anniversary of priesthood in 2005, he also noted that "it is the faith and fidelity of the parishioners in the pews that enables the priest to exercise a fulfilling ministry. I am grateful to all of them over the years."

Father Roos "fit" into a host of different ministries -- relying first on Jesus, and then on the Catholics of the Diocese he served for as long as he possibly could, until his health recently prevented such active work. Now, he rests in the heavenly kingdom, granted eternal life and peace after his faithful service.

Survivors include a brother, Joseph. Interment was at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie.[[In-content Ad]]