ST. FRANCIS — The following priests of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee retired from active ministry June 30, unless otherwise noted.
Fr. Ronald J. Gramza was born in Burlington, and attended De Sales Preparatory Seminary, St. Francis; Dominican College, Racine; Saint Francis de Sales College and Saint Francis de Sales Seminary, both in St. Francis.
Pictured clockwise from top left are Frs. Ralph Gross, William Key, Gregory Spitz and Ronald Gramza.
Ordained May 26, 1973, at St. Rita, West Allis, he served as associate pastor at Holy Angels, West Bend (1973-1976); associate pastor at St. Mary, Hales Corners (1976-1981); and team member at St. Gall, Milwaukee (1981-1985). He served in the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic (1985-1989). He was temporary administrator and then pastor at St. Frederick, Cudahy (1990-1991); pastor at St. Joseph, Waukesha (1991-1999); pastor at St. Sylvester, South Milwaukee (1999-2003); team moderator at St. Adalbert, South Milwaukee (2001-2003); team moderator at Divine Mercy, South Milwaukee (2003-2007); pastor at St. Richard, Racine (2007-2016); and supervising priest at St. John Nepomuk, Racine (2012-2014).
Fr. Ralph C. Gross was born in Menomonee Falls, and studied at St. Nazianz Minor Seminary, St. Nazianz; Mount Saint Paul College, Waukesha; and Saint Francis de Sales Seminary, St. Francis.
Ordained May 20, 1970, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee, he served as associate pastor at St. Joseph, Fond du Lac (1970-1977); associate pastor at St. Agnes, Butler (1977-1981); and as assistant chancellor of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee (1981-1983) while doing graduate studies in canon law. He was vice chancellor (1983-1987) and served as the archdiocese’s chancellor and vicar general (1987-1994). He was pastor of St. Margaret Mary, Milwaukee (1994-2006); pastor of St. Bruno, Dousman (2006-2016); and administrator of St. Paul, Genesee Depot (2014-2016).
Fr. William W. Key was born in Kewaskum, and studied at De Sales Preparatory Seminary, St. Francis, Saint Francis de Sales College and Saint Francis School of Pastoral Ministry, all in St. Francis.
Ordained May 24, 1975, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, he served as associate pastor at St. Aloysius, West Allis (1975-1982); associate pastor at St. Leonard, Muskego (1982-1983); as minister to the deaf for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee (1983-1990); and pastor of St. Lawrence, Milwaukee (1990-1998). He was moderator and team member at Ss. Michael, Patrick and Peter, Beaver Dam (1998-2003), and founding pastor of St. Katharine Drexel, Beaver Dam (2003-2005). He was pastor of St. Joseph, Waukesha (2006-2015); and pastor of St. Matthias, Milwaukee (2015-2016). He retired from active ministry Jan. 31.
Fr. Gregory M. Spitz was born in Milwaukee, and studied at Saint Francis de Sales Minor Seminary and Saint Francis de Sales Major Seminary, both in St. Francis.
Ordained May 20, 1967, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, he served as curate at Holy Name, Sheboygan (1967-1969). He was a member of the faculties at Messmer High School, Milwaukee (1969-1970); St. Joseph High School, Kenosha (1970-1979); and Divine Savior-Holy Angels High School (1979-1983). He was administrator and team member at St. Albert, Milwaukee (1983-1984) and pastor of St. Albert (1984-1988). He was a team member at St. James, Mequon (1988-1990) and pastor of St. James (1990-2002). He was pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Milwaukee (2002-2016).
