Mass. priest ‘tragically’ dies while preparing to embark on cruise in Spain, officials say

A priest from Massachusetts “tragically” died while preparing to embark on a cruise in Spain last week, Jesuits USA announced Wednesday.

Father Richard K. Gross, 80, died in the coastal city of Málaga on Jan. 20, 2025, according to the USA East Society of Jesus.

The facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Gross weren’t immediately clear.

Gross, a native of Wrentham, most recently served at Boston College High School. He was a member of the USA East Province of Jesuits and lived in a residence at the high school for the past 18 months.

In a statement shared with Boston 25 News, Boston College High School said, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and tragic passing of Father Richard Gross...We pray for his eternal peace and comfort for those mourning his loss.”

Gross taught history and social sciences at Boston College High School from 1969-1972 during his regency. He returned to the school in 1976, teaching and administering for five consecutive years.

Gross, an alum of King Philip High School in Wrentham and a graduate of Boston College, also spent time at Philips Academy in Andover and the Newman Center at the University of Connecticut at Storrs, among other stops. Gross returned to the Boston College High School Jesuit community in 2023.

Steve Penella now lives in northeast Ohio, but he connected with Father Gross during his sophomore year at BC High in 1976.

He just learned of the priest’s death this week.

“I can’t believe it,” said Penella. “I still can’t believe it.”

Penella said Gross was serving as a chaplain during his time as a student at the all-boys school in Dorchester.

He explained, “He loved to be around people he was very social… We would meet in his office and talk and laugh just like a regular guy. But, just a very warm guy, very gentle guy.”

After graduating in 1978, Penella said he and his friends lost contact with Father Gross.

They reconnected with the priest in 2023 after learning he was still living at the BC High Jesuit residency.

He remembered, “Like the Jesuits always say, ‘A man for others.’ He was definitely like that.”

Fr. Gross also served at Philips Academy in Andover and UConn during his career.

The 80-year-old most recently would lead services at Our Lady of Good Voyage in Seaport.

Church directors Susan Abbott and Kathy Stebbins told Boston 25 over the phone Wednesday that the priest had performed services there on January 16th – four days before his death in Spain.

Abbot explained, “He really had a twinkling in his eye. He had not a guffaw, but he had a chuckle that just brought you along with him.”

The church said Gross had a passion for overseeing weddings and baptisms.

Gross’ untimely passing remains under investigation, according to Jesuits USA and Boston College High School.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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