Detroit — Fr. Robert Charles Mossett, OSFS, passed away July 28 at Rosary Care Center in Sylvania, Ohio, following a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was 78.

Born in Detroit on Feb. 27, 1936 to Frank and Jane Jackson Mossett, the future Fr. Mossett attended Salesian High School in Detroit. He graduated from Niagara University in 1961 with a degree in biology, and in 1965 received his M.Div. and MD in ecology from Catholic University of America.

Fr. Mossett made his first profession as an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales in 1955 and was ordained to the priesthood Feb. 2, 1965.

Fr. Mossett taught at several area schools for a number of years. His service as a teacher of both science and religious studies included St. Francis de Sales High School, Toledo, beginning in 1965 and continuing for six years, and Bishop Duffy High School in Niagara Falls for the next eight years.

Following his time at Bishop Duffy, he ministered at St. Aquinas High School in Southgate; Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in Lincoln Park; and St. Angela Parish in Roseville.

Fr. Mossett became pastor of St. Alexis Parish in Ypsilanti in 1987. In 1997, Fr. Mossett became associate pastor of St. Anne Parish and St. Joseph Parish in Monroe; a position he held until his retirement in 2013. Over the years he also served as a chaplain for the Daughters of St. Francis de Sales and offered spiritual direction to many individuals.

Joyce Cutliff, leaving a message on Coyle Funeral Home’s obituary webpage for Fr. Mossett, wrote on July 30 that she, her grandmother and her brother dog-sat for Fr. Mossett during a few of his trips.

Cutliff said when she was a child, Fr. Mossett, “never talked down to anyone” because of his kindness and generosity.

“I admired so his commitment to St. Anne (Parish), and the people that he served were always respected,” she wrote.

Another commenter, Jim Doll, wrote July 31 that Fr. Mossett “was a very gentle man. I knew him by name from Salesian High School and as a fellow teacher at Toledo St. Francis. He always had a warm smile… always thinking, always exploring.”

His funeral Mass was celebrated Aug. 2 at St. Anne Parish. Interment is at Resurrection Cemetery in Toledo.

Fr. Mossett was preceded in death by his sister Dorathea Brady and his brother Frank William Jr. He is survived by siblings Katharine (Arthur) Sierminski, Frank W. Mossett, Charles Mossett, Lyn Mossett, seven nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Katharine Sierminski, 6779 Winter Creek Rd., Norton Shores, MI, 49444, and to the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, Provincial Office, 2043 Parkside Blvd., Toledo, OH, 43607.