Rev. Robert Levis

Reverend Robert J. Levis was a priest of the diocese of Erie for 67 years; ordained by Archbishop John Mark Gannon at St. Peter’s Cathedral in 1948. He was born on June 22, 1921 in Erie, PA. A son of the late Robert and Bridget Hodnett Levis, both native to County Cork, Ireland, and a native son of St. Patrick’s Church of Erie, Fr. Levis served his entire priesthood in Erie parishes with the exception of service at Sacred Heart Church, Sharon PA. He served as associate pastor at Mount Calvary Church, St. Joseph Church, St. Mark the Evangelist Church, and St. Ann Church while serving as instructor and administrator at Gannon University.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother Jerry Levis and sister Mary Kunz. He is survived by a sister Margaret Andersen of Long Island, New York, and Nieces and nephews Susan and (John) Martin, Maria and (Jerry) Dresel, Judy and (Robert) Kiechlin, all of Long Island, New York; Al and (Robin) Kunz, Jerry Kunz, Eileen and (Dave) Baker, Jeanne Filipkowski, all of Erie; Kathleen and (Clay) Davis of Arizona; James and (Deborah) Levis of Johnstown, PA; and Meghan Levis of California; and many grandnieces and nephews.

Fr. Levis served Gannon College as registrar and director of admissions for 11 years. He taught several courses, most especially Theology for many years before receiving a PhD in Religious Education from the Catholic University of America in 1962. His doctoral dissertation concerned the teaching of marriage courses at the college level. Fr. Levis assisted President Wilfred J. Nash in securing the Papal recognition of the Gannon graduate courses in Religious Education. For 20 years Fr. Levis conducted an annual workshop for priests at the University. Nearly 150 priests from the U.S. and Canada attended this workshop annually.

Fr. Levis served on many advisory boards in service to Catholic higher education and the Association of Pontifical Centers. He was one of the founders of the American Fellowship of Catholic Scholars. He authored pieces on marriage for the Catholic Encyclopedia, chaired the writing of the history of Gannon University, and wrote numerous articles on Catechetics for the Lake Shore Visitor and other American Catholic newspapers. He gave many retreats in Toronto and the States. He also spoke several times nationally and internationally in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, and appeared on numerous television programs. With Father John Trigilio of Harrisburg, PA, he co-chaired the series on EWTN entitled, “Web of Faith.”

Friends are invited to call at the John J. Quinn Funeral Home, West 9th & Liberty St. on Tuesday from 2-5 & 7-9 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 11:00 AM  by the Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, Bishop of Erie, at St. Ann’s Church, 10th and East Avenue. Burial will be in Trinity Cemetery.