Reverend Joseph A. Robinson passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on October 14, 1937 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and baptized at St. William Church, Cincinnati. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary and studied theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West in Norwood, Ohio. Father Robinson also received a Master’s degree in psychology from Xavier University, Cincinnati. He was ordained on May 30, 1964 at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati by Archbishop Karl J. Alter.
Father Robinson received his first assignment on June 17, 1964, as assistant at Guardian Angels Parish and on faculty of McNicholas High School, Cincinnati. On January 28, 1965, he was appointed assistant at Holy Family Parish and to teach at Seton High School, Cincinnati. On June 16, 1967, he was appointed assistant at Guardian Angels Parish, and to teach one class daily at McNicholas. He was appointed assistant at St. Margaret Mary Parish, N. College Hill on September 24, 1971. He was appointed assistant at St. Anthony Parish, Madisonville, on June 20, 1973, with full-time studies at Xavier University. On December 30, 1974, he was appointed assistant at St. Columban Parish, Loveland and then appointed pastor of St. Columban Parish on January 3, 1977. On November 15, 1985, he was appointed Consultor of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (term of five years). Father Robinson was appointed temporary administrator of St. Patrick Parish, Cincinnati, effective December 4, 1990, and appointed pastor of St. Patrick Parish on March 17, 1991, for a period of six years. He was appointed pastor of St. Boniface Parish, Cincinnati for a period of six years on January 1, 1992, while continuing as pastor of St. Patrick Parish (parishes to be merged). Father Robinson was appointed Dean of the Cathedral Deanery, effective January 1, 2001, for a four-year term, ending December 31, 2004. He was re-appointed Dean of the Cathedral Deanery for two more consecutive four-year terms, Dec. 2004 – Dec. 2008 and again, Dec. 2008 – Dec. 2012. He was appointed temporary parochial administrator of St. Joseph Parish, Cincinnati, effective January 25, 2005, and appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish, effective August 1, 2005, while continuing as pastor of St. Boniface Parish. He was appointed temporary parochial administrator of St. Joseph Parish, Cincinnati effective July 1, 2007 – October 1, 2007. He was appointed parochial administrator of St. Leo the Great Parish, Cincinnati, while continuing as pastor of St. Boniface Parish, effective August 6, 2012 – October 30, 2012. He was appointed pastor of St. Bernard Parish, Spring Grove Village, which includes the administration of Mother of Christ, Cincinnati, effective July 1, 2018, while continuing as pastor of St. Boniface Parish. Father Robinson retired from active ministry on January 31, 2020.
Reception of the Body: Monday, July 24, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Boniface Church, 1750 Chase Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45223; 513-541-1563. Celebrant and Homilist: Reverend James R. Schutte.
Visitation: following Reception of the Body until 9:00 p.m.; also on Tuesday, July 25 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:15 a.m.
Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Boniface Church. Celebrant: Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer. Homilist: Reverend Gerald E. Bensman.
Burial: Tuesday, July 25, 2023, immediately following Mass, at Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45232. Celebrant: Reverend Gerald E. Bensman.
Associates of the Marian Pact are asked to offer, as soon as possible, one Mass for the repose of the soul of Father Robinson, and when convenient, to provide for the celebration of two other Masses.
May God welcome His faithful servant to his eternal home in heaven. May he rest in peace. Amen.
