George Gruber

Fr. George Gruber OMI
May 26, 1933 - July 5, 2026

The death of Fr. George Gruber, OMI occurred peacefully at his home at Samaritan Place, Saskatoon, SK on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Fr. George was born on May 26, 1933, in Leipzig, SK to Barbara (Ruider) and Frank Gruber, Sr. After attending school in Leipzig, he went to St. Thomas College in North Battleford, SK. In 1951, Fr. George joined the Missionary Oblates as a novice, in St. Norbert, MB, professing his First Vows on September 8, 1952. His next years were spent at St. Charles Scholasticate in Battleford, where he professed his Perpetual Vows on September 8, 1955. He was ordained to the priesthood on October 18, 1957, a member of St. Mary’s Province. Fr. George received a Bachelor of Education degree in 1967 and a Diploma in Educational Psychology and Counselling in 1971. Fr. George served his religious community and the People of God in many ways, with much of his ministry in Alberta. After receiving his education degree, he taught high school, first in Fairview, AB, and then in Red Deer, AB, where he was both teacher and guidance counsellor. In 1975, Fr. George moved to Medicine Hat, where he was pastor at the parish in Schuler, and associate pastor in Medicine Hat. For the next 25 years, Fr. George ministered at many other parishes in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Fr. George greatly valued education, serving on an ad-hoc committee for teaching religious education in high schools, and continuing his own education by studying Scripture, Canon Law, and Theology. Fr. George prided himself on keeping up with the latest scholarship in Scripture, saying “My homilies need to reflect that”. As a pastor, he was recognized for his dogged sense of duty, the quality of his homilies, his fairness to all and his sympathy for those with special needs. With faith and without self-pity, Fr. George endured some major health issues, including losing much of his eyesight and hearing. In 2001, Fr. George moved to Mazenod Residence in Saskatoon, SK to live with other brothers and priests, in community, faithful to his Oblate life and priesthood. He enjoyed sports, particularly baseball. On his 85th birthday, the 60th anniversary of his ordination, he said to one of his brother Oblates: “I’ve been a priest now for 60 years, and it wasn’t always easy. I had my struggles. But looking at it all, I am pretty happy with the way my life turned out.”

Fr. George was predeceased by his parents Frank and Barbara Gruber; his sisters Hilda Ulrich and Rita Merkowsky and his brother Joseph Gruber. He was also predeceased by his brother-in-law Donald Ulrich and his sister-in-law, Johanna Gruber, a nephew, Gerald Gruber and a nephew-in-law, Alan McCormac. Fr. George will be lovingly remembered by his brother, Frank Gruber, brother-in-law, Allan Merkowsky, and sister-in-law, Muriel Gruber. He will also be fondly remembered as an uncle, great-uncle and great-great uncle by 19 nieces and nephews, along with their spouses, their children and their grandchildren. He is remembered with love by his religious community, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, OMI Lacombe Canada and their Associates.

We would like to express sincere gratitude to the staff and care aides at Trinity Manor and Samaritan Place who cared for Fr. George for his last years. 

The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 10:00am, at St. Philip Neri Parish, 1902 Munroe Avenue S., Saskatoon, SK., followed by a light lunch. The interment will take place at St. Charles Oblate cemetery at The Ridge, in Battleford, SK at 1:30pm that day.