Retired W. Pa. Bishop Anthony Bosco dead at 85

GREENSBURG, Pa. — Bishop Anthony Bosco, who headed the Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg in western Pennsylvania for 17 years, has died.

Diocesan spokesman Jerry Zufelt said Bosco was 85 when he died Tuesday at his home in Unity Township. That's not far from Greensburg, a city 30 miles east of Pittsburgh, where Bosco headed the diocese serving more than 163,000 Catholics in Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana and Westmoreland counties.

The diocese was split off from the larger Pittsburgh diocese in 1951 by Pope Pius XII, and Bosco became its bishop in 1987.

Bosco announced his retirement upon reaching the church's mandatory retirement age of 75 in August 2002 but remained in office until current Bishop Lawrence Brandt could be installed in March 2004.

Brandt said Bosco was a bright person and a man of good common sense who will be remembered for including more members in leadership roles in the church, launching the first capital fundraising campaign and establishing a radio program and the diocesan website.

“Bishop Bosco was a tremendous gift to the diocese and a tremendous asset, and I know that his legacy will live long into the future,” said Brandt.

The diocese said funeral arrangements have not been completed.

WPXI