GRIFFITH is mourning the loss of one of its sons.
Father Rafe Beltrame died at Scalabrini Village on Saturday shortly after being anointed by Father Bradley Rafter.
He was 86.
Father Beltrame was assistant priest at Sacred Heart Griffith from 1966 to 1979 before being appointed parish priest from 1979 to 2002.
He was also chaplain at Scalabrini Village for 26 years.
Father Andrew Grace said there would be an open casket at the church at 8pm on Tuesday night and invited community members along to pay their final respects.
Father Beltrame will be laid to rest at the church.
Parishioners expressed sadness at the loss of a great man.
“The world has lost a true gentleman and an earthly angel – may your wings be golden. RIP Father – you are in Heaven now with Maggie riding your bike in Heaven,” Janelle Hams Smith wrote on the parish Facebook page.
