Father Grimme remembered for passion
Pastor passed away after battle with Parkinson’s, cancer
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The Rev. D. Timothy Grimme, pastor of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Altoona, is being remembered for his genuine kindness.
"He was outgoing and considerate," Grimme's sister Maureen Haller said. "He just lifted you up."
Grimme died Friday, March 17, after an extended illness.
Grimme was born and raised in Altoona, attending Bishop Guilfoyle High School. He went to the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and Saint John's University School of Divinity in Collegeville, Minnesota, then returned to his roots and was ordained in 1977.
He served in various capacities over the years, including as a religion instructor at BG from 1977-84.
He became pastor of St. Therese on July 24, 2002, where he remained until his death.
He felt the calling to become a priest while young, his sister said, noting one of their uncles was a pastor.
Haller recalled one time their uncle put a white collar around Grimme and asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
"A priest," Grimme answered. That unwavering determination drove him through the very end, she said.
After being ordained, he rarely left the diocese.
"He could explain things in a down-to-earth kind of way," Haller said. "When my daughter came out from South Carolina, she wanted to go hear Tim talk."
Tom Forr, a parishioner, said Grimme "was there and available for the past 20 years, like an old-fashioned priest."
Forr said Grimme was the only priest that had an 8 a.m. mass and was available from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. for confession, even when nobody would be at the church. He was also the organizer of nocturnal adoration.
When he was a chaplain at UPMC Altoona, he committed himself to caring and praying with the people in the hospital. Haller recalled a lot of times when she bumped into someone, either in the hospital or in Altoona, they knew Grimme through his hospital services.
Deacon Thomas McFee, a parishioner and colleague, said Grimme was always "genuine and honest." He was always himself, McFee said.
Grimme loved church festivals and even hosted some himself. He would welcome new church members with meals and hand out gifts.
"After all those years, after all those people he interacted with, picture all the children he baptized, and then give them first holy communion ... that's just a remarkable legacy," said Tony DeGol, spokesman for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.
Outside of work, Grimme enjoyed crocheting and dancing.
When Grimme was 28, his mother, a crochet lover, advised him to start crocheting. "And he outdid her," Haller recalled. Grimme had a book that had photos of all the afghans he made -- a 3-inch thick collection. His "gorgeous" handmade afghans always came with a tag that said, "specially made by father Grimme," Haller said.
Grimme was also never afraid to try new experiences, his sister said.
Twenty years ago, she invited Grimme to try a dance lesson. They practiced as partners. And ever since then, it was their shared hobby.
"I don't have to learn that fast because he can lead it, and I can follow him," Haller said with a laugh.
One time, when Grimme went to the Altoona symphony, the conductor asked the audience to dance. He went up to the conductor and said, "The man is supposed to lead," his sister said.
And since then, whenever the symphony had a concert, the conductor would invite Grimme to dance.
"A lot of people know him for that," Haller said.
In the last few years, it was hard for church members to watch Grimme struggle with Parkinson's disease and cancer.
"He failed to show up one morning for Mass, and we had to get him," Forr said.
DeGol shared, on behalf of Bishop Mark Bartchak, that Grimme's passing has been "a blow" to the community.
"It is a very difficult time, knowing him for so many years," DeGol said.
A Reception of Body will be held at 3 p.m. today, Thursday, March 23, at St. Therese of the Child Jesus. Visitation will be held from 3:30 to 7 p.m., followed by a vigil service at 7 p.m.
A viewing will also be held from 10-10:45 a.m. Friday at the church, followed by an 11 a.m. funeral Mass. Committal will be at Ss. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made in memory of Father Grimme to St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, 2301 Fifth St., Altoona, PA 16601.