Rev. Robert J. Barone

March 13, 2004
Reverend Robert J. Barone, Chaplain, Immaculate Heart of Mary Generalate, Scranton, and a resident at Saint Anthony of Padua Rectory, Scranton, died on Saturday, March 13, 2004, at his home in Scranton, after a brief illness.

Father Barone, son of the late John and Regina McGuire Barone, was born in Scranton on Aug. 7, 1941. He was a graduate of Hazleton Senior High School, Hazleton. He attended the University of Scranton and Saint Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Md., where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree on June 4, 1963. His studies for the priesthood were completed at Saint Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Md. Father Barone was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1967, in Scranton, by the Most Reverend J. Carroll McCormick, D.D., late Bishop of Scranton.

Following ordination, Father Barone served as Assistant Pastor at Queen of Peace Church, Hawley. On Sept. 23, 1967, he was appointed Assistant Pastor at Saint Mary of the Assumption Church, Jessup, where he remained until being appointed Assistant Pastor at Saint Anthony of Padua Church,
Dunmore, on Jan. 30, 1968. He became Assistant Pastor at Saint Mary Of Mount Carmel Church, Dunmore, in Sept. 10, 1968.

In September 1970, Father Barone pursued further study at the Angelicum University, Rome, where two years later he received his doctoral degree in Sacred Theology. Excerpts from his doctoral dissertation, ``The Secularization Theology of Harvey Gallagher Cox,' were published in Rome. From January to June 1972, he did postdoctoral study at the Hebrew University and the American Institute for Oriental Research in Jerusalem. Upon his return to the Unites States, Father Barone was appointed Professor at Saint Pius X Seminary, Dalton, where he remained for eight years. On Sept. 2, 1980, Father Barone was named Chaplain of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Generalate, Scranton, where he served until his death.

In addition to his duties as Chaplain, Father Barone also served on the faculty of The University of Scranton, Marywood University, King's College and Mary Immaculate Seminary. To augment his teaching, he was a frequent visitor to the Holy Land, Rome and the Middle East. Father conducted biblical study tours for more than 200 priests and seminarians of the Diocese. A respected writer for The Catholic Light, he wrote columns from 1977 through 1982 focusing on Sacred Scripture, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the life of Jesus. In addition to his scholarly and popular writing, Father Barone was a long-time regular presenter on a wide range of subjects for Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton, CTV. He devoted much time to his highly regarded program, "The World of St. Paul."

Father Barone is survived by a sister, Mrs. Jeanne Trespicio, Waltham, Mass., and three nieces~, Terri Trespicio, Waltham, Lori Trespicio, Los Angeles, and Kim O'Brien, Needham, Mass.
Viewing will take place at Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 1402 Short Ave., Scranton, on Monday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. A Vigil Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony's Church at 7 p.m., with the Very Reverend Richard J. Loch, V.F., presiding.

A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist., E.D., Bishop of Scranton, on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Saint Peter's Cathedral, Scranton. Viewing will also take place at 10 a.m. prior to the Funeral Mass. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Drums.