Reverend Lawrence L. Hoppe, retired priest of the Diocese passes away at 88

GREENSBURG – October 20, 2022 –

Father Lawrence L. Hoppe, retired priest of the Diocese of Greensburg, died Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at the age of 88. 

Father Hoppe was born Apr. 13, 1934, in Detroit., Mich., a son of the late Theophilus and Veronica (Purol) Hoppe. Fr. Hoppe was preceded in death by his sister Susan Kuszajewski and his brother Carl Hoppe. Fr. Hoppe is survived by his brothers, George Hoppe, David Hoppe, Norbert Hoppe Thomas Hoppe, and his sister Bernadette Kenjorski.

Father Hoppe was educated in the St. Casimir schools in Posen, Mich., and St. Joseph Minor Seminary in Grand Rapids, Mich. He earned a bachelor’s degree at St. Mary and SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Mich., a master’s degree at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, and a doctoral degree at the University of Pittsburgh. He majored in moral theology at the University of St. Thomas, Rome, Italy, in 1983 and 1985.

Father Hoppe was ordained to the priesthood May 28, 1960, at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg. He was in the first ordination class of the late Bishop William G. Connare.

Father Hoppe served as parochial vicar at St. Hubert Parish, Point Marion, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Latrobe, Holy Family, Parish, Latrobe, St. Agnes Parish, North Huntingdon, and the former Transfiguration Parish, Mount Pleasant. In June 1966, he was named principal at Greensburg Central Catholic High School while residing at Our Lady of Grace Parish, Greensburg.

In June 1969, he was assigned as pastor of the former St. James Parish, Maxwell, and its former mission of St. Julian, Isabella. In 1973, he became pastor of the former St. Hedwig Parish, Smock, and its former missions at Brier Hill and Keisterville.
In 1976, he was released from the diocese to serve as coordinator of schools in the Diocese of Sioux Falls, S.D. The following year, he served as spiritual director for schools and assistant to the chancellor of Orchard Lake Schools in Michigan.

Father Hoppe returned to the Diocese in 1984 to pastor the former St. Hyacinth Parish, Monessen. He was granted a leave in 1985 to pursue graduate studies in Rome. Upon return in 1986, he served as pastor at the former St. Michael Parish, Glen Campbell, and its former mission in Arcadia, the former St. Thomas Parish, Footedale, the former St. Francis of Paola Parish, Ford City (administrator), and the former St. Francis Parish, Coral. He retired from active priesthood in August 2004.

Father Hoppe was residing at St. Anne Home in Greensburg at the time of his death.

The family will greet friends in the St. Joseph Chapel at the Christ Our Shepherd Center, 2900 Seminary Drive, Greensburg PA 15601 on Monday, October 24, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

The Funeral Mass will also be on Monday, October 24, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Joseph Chapel at the Christ Our Shepherd Center, 2900 Seminary Drive, Greensburg PA 15601. Fr. Hoppe’s burial will be at a later date in his family plot in Posen, Michigan.