Fr. Charles Bisgrove

FUNERAL HOME

Schaff Funeral Service

5920 West Lincoln Avenue

West Allis, Wisconsin

Charles Bisgrove Obituary

Bisgrove, Fr. Charles A member of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, died on Sunday, April 10, 2011, following a stroke. Fr. Bisgrove professed his first vows as a member of the US Province on August 15, 1972. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1990. Throughout his life, Fr. Bisgrove had served in a wide variety of ministries within the US Province and elsewhere. These included formation ministry, province administration and local leadership. His external endeavors also displayed his talents and interests. Fr. Bisgrove used his love of the liturgy by serving the Diocese of San Bernadino (CA) as Executive Secretary of the Office of Worship, the Liturgical Commission and as Master of Ceremonies for Bishop Philip Straling. Following his priestly ordination, he served at St. Gregory the Great Parish in Milwaukee. His next assignment saw him moving to Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and Holy Assumption Church in Franklin. During this tenure, he assisted the merger of these two parishes into St. Martin of Tours. His ministries went far beyond the walls of the parish with his involvement with the Franklin Fire, Police and Rescue departments as chaplain and his participation with other local First Responders in Milwaukee County. Fr. Bisgrove continued his service to first responders and victims when he was certified as a chaplain with the National Transportation and Safety Board in 2001. This certification was put to use very quickly when he was called to duty at Ground Zero in New York City following the September 11, 2001 attacks. One of his tasks there was to accompany families as they visited the site where they lost their loved ones. Fr. Bisgrove's wanderlust led him to India where he assisted with the education of seminarians. Most recently, Fr. Bisgrove served at Sacred Heart School of Theology. Fr. Bisgrove is preceded in death by his parents, Margaret Walsh and Charles Bisgrove of Lorain, Ohio. He is survived by his siblings Peggy (Jack) Kernohan, Michael (Joann) Bisgrove and Thomas (Cindy) Bisgrove; their families and the members of the Priests of the Sacred Heart. Wake Service will be Thursday, April 14, at 7PM, at Sacred Heart School of Theology. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, April 15, from 4PM to 6:30PM, at St. Martin of Tours Parish in Franklin. Mass will follow at 7PM. His interment will be held in private. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Retirement Fund of the Priests of the Sacred Heart are suggested. Please send to Fr. Charles Bisgrove Memorial, c/o Provincialate Offices, PO Box 289, Hales Corners, WI 53130-0289.

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Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Apr. 13, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Bisgrove

8 Entries

Scott Blaszczyk

April 16, 2011

Dear Father Charlie(FC),

I can't believe that I am writing a farewell to you, I'm still waiting to wake up. You have been a dear friend over the years and I have enjoyed the time that we spent together. I feel priveleged to have known you and want to thank you for everything you have done for my family. I also want to thank you for everything that you have contributed to this world as one of God's soldiers. You have truly made this crazy world a better place. In addition to being an exceptional "Man Of The Cloth", you were also "One of The Guys", who always made time to enjoy a coffee/lunch(especially the Mongolian Barbecue) and occasional beer with the guys. You always had that smile on your face that gave comfort and reassurance to us on the worst of days. It was always a pleasure having you ride shotgun with me in the squad and I always had to laugh when you would say "These people just don't get it!" when we would deal with various public elements. As I finish this entry, it is still pouring rain like it was for most of the day, the heaven's truly cried for you today. I'll close by saying that you will be missed dearly and I'll be looking forward to seeing you at a later time in a better place.

10-42 Fr.Charlie and God Bless You

P.S. As you would say "GO TRIBE!!!"

Wendy Ruhl

April 15, 2011

It is with a sad heart that I am writing this, that my friend Father Charlie passed away. I will miss our talks, your warm smile, and always kind words.
I have known Father Charlie for over 20 years, what started as a client an became a friend. For all that knew both of us, we had a private joke that continue for years, when ever he would enter my gallery, I would always greet him with a "Hey Father", which he would respond with the like. As the years passed and he had gone to many
parishes to hold mass, we would find some one in the parish that would go up to him, and say "Hey Father" and he would say tell Wendy and Katie hello. I had just seen Father Charlie this last Tuesday to pick up one of his treasure he picked up on one of
his many travels. In all my dreams I would have never thought it would be the last time I would see him.
I will miss you my friend, may god loving arms comfort your family, and friends because heaven has received a special angel to look over all of us, for that I find a some comfort. But right now I just feel a great loss and a empty feeling.
Hey Father, till we meet again.

I miss you

Your Friend Always,

Wendy Ruhl

Scott Paprocki

April 15, 2011

I first met Fr Charlie, or "Charles in Charge" as I affectionately called him, while standing up in a friends wedding in Fr Charlies parish in 1996. The wedding party contained some wild looking guys, and Fr Charlie made sure to remind us several times during the rehearsal that the Church was a place for worship and celebration, not "funny stuff" as he called it. Everyone heeded his words and the wedding was perfect. Our paths next crossed in the late 90's when I was working for FRPD and he became our Police/Fire Chaplain. Fr Charlie (known on the radio as Squad 86) went on numerous ridealongs with our officers and was called to the scene of most major and tragic incidents to offer comfort and "someone to talk to" to anyone who needed it. He eventually became a close friend and confidant to myself and numerous other officers, dispatchers, and firefighters. Fr Charlie performed our marriage ceremonies, baptized our children, spent Holidays with us, and counseled us when we were having problems. We went to Packer games, movies, lunches with the guys, and had an occasional beer after a long shift. He was truly "part of the family". Although Fr Charlie left us way too soon, he will always hold a special place in my heart. I know I will see him in a better place again, someday. Rest In Peace, Fr Charlie.

Ken & Jeanne Bohn

April 15, 2011

Father Charlie was a great guy who continually gave of himself for others and was dedicated to everything he did. He was an extremely kind person who was always trying to help his fellow persons. And I am sure that people could talk and write for days and not run out of Father Charlie’s shenanigans stories that contributed to Father Charlie being the man and leader he was.

This is a very sad, sad day for all of us here on earth who knew, loved, and thought so much of Father Charlie. But we can find peace and comfort knowing that after he has done so much for so many of us, he is in a much better place, home with our Lord God. While he may have gone on to be with our father in heaven, he will always have a special place in Jeanne’s and my hearts. We are sure that as good as Father Charlie has been to everyone he met here on earth, and as hard as he has worked to carry out the work and spread the word of our Lord God, that God has found a special place for Father Charlie in heaven.

Rest in peace Father Charlie, and enjoy your special place in heaven.

Rest in Peace Father Charlie (Charlie Chaplain)

Chief Kenneth W Bohn, Retired

April 14, 2011

Monika Norman

April 13, 2011

The dear brother of my most dear friend his sister Peggy, I have known the family for most of my life, and when we think of Charles, we smile and know he loved so many as he was also so loved....

Kenny Asselin

April 13, 2011

Thanks for your help through the tough times Father Charlie. You were one of the best! God bless and God speed!

Randy Schwartz

April 13, 2011

So long Father Charlie..we will meet and laugh again. You gave me so much and took back nothing. I am forever grateful and you will be greatly missed. God bless and keep you.

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