Rev. Robert Henry Bissot

Reverend Robert Henry Bissot entered into eternal life on September 18, 2020, at the age of 88. He was born April 25, 1932 in Grand Rapids to Bertha and Carl H. Bissot. Fr. Bissot attended St. Mary’s School and St. Joseph’s Seminary in Grand Rapids; Michigan State University in Lansing; the Seminary of Philosophy in Montreal; and the Pontifical North American College/Gregorian University in Rome. He was ordained on December 15, 1957, at the Immaculate Conception Chapel, North American College, in Rome by the Most Reverend Martin J. O’Connor. Fr. Bissot’s assignments included Assistant Pastor at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Grand Rapids; Assistant Pastor at St. Francis, Traverse City; faculty at St. Joseph Seminary, Grand Rapids; Assistant Principal at Catholic Central High School, Grand Rapids; Administrator, pro tem, at St. Joseph, Wright; Pastor of St. Mary, Hannah and faculty at St. Francis High School, Traverse City; in care of St. Joseph the Worker Mission, Karlin; Acting Associate Superintendent of Christian Education, Diocese of Gaylord; Superintendent of Christian Education, Manistee Area, and Associate Superintendent of Christian Education, Diocese of Gaylord; Administrator of Holy Family, Klacking Creek; Pastor of St. Ann, Frankfort; Pastor of St. Bernard, Alpena; the Director of Vocations, Director of Seminarians and Deacon Director for the Diocese of Gaylord; Pastor of St. Ann, Cadillac and Pastor of St. Edward, Harrietta; Vicar of the Southwest Region; appointment to the College of Consultors; Pastor of St. Joseph, West Branch; Vicar of the Prudenville Vicariate; Diocesan Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and the Pontifical Association of the Holy Child; and Pastor of St. Catherine, Ossineke, St. Gabriel, Black River, St. Anne, Harrisville, and St. Raphael, Mikado. In June 2020, Fr. Bissot was assigned Senior Priest status with residence at St. Anne in Harrisville. Fr. Bissot is survived by his sister, Carolyn Jeanne Butler (William, deceased); nine nieces and nephews; as well as many other loving family members, friends, and parishioners. Fr. Bissot was preceded in death by his parents, Bertha and Carl H. Bissot; sister, Barbara Ann Bissot; brother, Thomas Charles (Virginia) Bissot; and niece, Susan Joan Bissot. Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at St. Anne church in Harrisville on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, with a vigil service held at 7:00 p.m. with Fr. James Bearss presiding. Visitation will also be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Gaylord on Wednesday, September 30, 2020. A Funeral Mass will follow, to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. with Bishop Walter A. Hurley presiding. The Funeral Mass will also be available by livestream at www.dioceseofgaylord.org. Interment will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. If you wish to send a note of condolence to the family of Fr. Bissot, it may be sent to the following: The Family of Rev. Robert Henry Bissot c/o Gillies Funeral Home 104 West Alger Street Lincoln, Michigan 48742 Gifts made in honor of Fr. Bissot can be made out to The Society of the Propagation of the Faith. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rev. Robert Henry Bissot, please visit our flower store.