SAN MARCOS – A long-time priest in Diocese of San Diego, Father Bruce Orsborn, has passed away.
He died Oct. 27 at the age of 71.
At the time of his death, Father Orsborn had been the pastor of St. Mark’s Parish in San Marcos for 10 years.
His funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. at Nov. 12 at St. Mark’s, and will be live-streamed through sdcatholic.org.
In a message to parishioners, Bishop Michael Pham wrote, “It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of Father Bruce Orsborn into eternal life. Please join me in praying for his eternal repose. May he rest peacefully in the Lord’s presence, and may we pray for the consolation of his family and faith community.”
Born in La Mesa, he was studying Aerospace Operations at Grossmont College, when he felt the call to the priesthood.
He entered St. Francis Seminary in San Diego and subsequently attended the North American College in Rome.
Father Orsborn was ordained to the priesthood by then Bishop Leo T. Maher on June 26,1981, at Our Mother of Confidence Church in San Diego.
In an interview with The Southern Cross on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination, he said of the priesthood, “It’s a joy. It’s just a joy. I couldn’t be happier.”
His first assignment as pastor, in 1990, was at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Chula Vista. He subsequently served as pastor of Holy Family, St. Jerome (closed in 2011), Blessed Sacrament (concurrently with serving as director of campus ministry at San Diego State University), and St. Therese (in Del Cerro, 30 years after having served there as an associate pastor, his first assignment after ordination).
