I got to know Tim Gronotte a year and a half ago when I arrived in Cincinnati. Since then he had become a dear friend of mine. I enjoyed his company and conversation, and we both often discussed making the camp a better place for kids.

Tim was a faithful husband and wonderful father to two boys and a girl, Elizabeth. One of these, Fr Andrew, was ordained with me last year, and the other, Br. Christopher, is finishing up studies in theology. He was a committed Catholic and loved Jesus very much. He was a member of Regnum Christi and a member of the camp's advisory board.

Tim was involved with youth ministry and camp maintenance and development since the beginning. His sons benefited greatly from Conquest clubs and retreats and summer camps, each discovering a vocation to the priesthood from a very young age. Tim found his niche in taking care of the campgrounds by weed whacking all around camp, while his friends Tom Weisbrod and Dave Husted would cut the grass on the lawnmower and tractor.

Tim had also worked on many projects in the camp's history: the development of the chapel and offices in the basement, the removal of trees and brush, the promotion of the camp, and so much more that I'm not even aware of. He enjoyed cutting grass on days we had campouts and summer camps so he could see the camp in action. Indeed, he would also participate in the father and son campouts even though his sons had already grown up, cooking and serving the dads and their sons.

He was always interested in the development of the camp and in finding ways we could get more people involved. He deeply believed in the mission of the camp to evangelize, and he worked very hard to make the camp a beautiful place where kids could have fun and encounter God.

Some of you may have had the chance to meet him. If you did, you would know Tim was always a welcoming person with whom you could feel at ease and with whom you could have a down to earth, interesting conversation. He was always interested in what I had to say, perhaps especially so he could understand better the mission he desired to be a part of.

I don't believe it's a coincidence that Tim passed away on the eve of the feast of the martyrdom of the innocent children. Those children lost their lives for the cause of Christ. Tim gave so much of his time and energy and resources for the cause of Christ in his parish, in Regnum Christi, and in the camp. His legacy will remain imprinted in the hearts of his wife and children, his friends in Regnum Christi, and in the grounds and buildings of Camp River Ridge. He is an example of what it means to believe in the mission of evangelization, and of unwavering commitment to the camp and to all it stands for.

Tim remains in my memory as the first dear friend I have ever lost. I will miss Tim very much. The Lord's ways are truly mysterious, but death never has the last word where there is faith and trust in a good and loving God. Indeed, I know now that the camp and I have gained an intercessor in Heaven. He will be our advocate before Jesus when we need an extra help to develop the camp's facilities.

I ask you to please keep him and his family in your prayers these days. I have already celebrated Mass for the repose of his soul. Let us honor him and his dedication to the Church and the camp, for which I feel so immensely grateful.

For this reason, you are invited to attend his funeral Mass on Tuesday, Jan 2nd, at Blessed Sacrament Parish (2409 Dixie Hwy, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017) at 10 am.

Visitation is Monday, Jan 1st, from 4-8 PM at Linneman Funeral Home in Erlanger, KY.

 Please keep him and his family in your prayers these days.

 God bless you and your families. Thank you for being a part of our camp family.

 Yours in Christ,

 Fr Lucio Boccacci