Deacon Glenn Thomas Erwin
(7/1/1928 – 9-21/2017)

Glenn Erwin was born on July 1, 1928 in Winooski, Vermont to Thomas and
Aurore Erwin. He attended elementary and high school in Vermont. As well, he
attended a seminary in Quebec. Because of the very cold winters, Glenn decided to
move to California in 1955. He began his first teaching job for the Los Angeles
School District teaching social studies and history. Timing is sometimes everything
in life and he met the woman of his dreams – Ann Conroy. Glenn and Ann married
on July 4, 1962 at St. Emydius Catholic Church in Lynwood, California.
In 1968, Glenn and Ann moved to Huntington Beach. Glenn worked as a middle
school music and French teacher and later became a school psychologist. He was
employed with Long Beach schools for 32 years before retiring in 1988. After
retirement, Glenn worked part-time as a school psychologist at two Catholic
schools in the Orange County Diocese.

On June 18, 1967, Pope Paul VI issued his Apostolic Letter to restore the
Permanent Diaconate in the Latin Church. The ministry of Deacon finds its roots in
the Acts of the Apostles and Paul’s Letter to Timothy. In the late 1st century of the
new Christian faith, one of the early Church Fathers, St. Ignatius of Antioch, wrote
of the contribution of Deacons as ministers of the faith. A quote from his writings
spoke of the services of deacon:

“…Deacons, too, who are ministers of the mysteries of Jesus… (F)or they are not
mere servants with food and drink, but emissaries of God’s Church.”
Glenn answered the call to become a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church in
1976. At the time, parishes in Orange County were still part of the Archdiocese of
Los Angeles. Formation classes were held in downtown Los Angeles by
Monsignor Eberhardt from the seminary in Camarillo.
On May 12, 1979 Glenn and his class were ordained as Permanent Deacons for the
Diocese of Orange by Bishop William Johnson. Deacon Glenn served at Our Lady
of Mount Carmel Church in Newport Beach. The threefold ministry of the deacon
includes the service of Word, Altar, and Charity. Privileged to proclaim the Word,
the deacon reads the Gospel and preaches the homily at Masses and other
Liturgical Rites. Deacons also assist the celebrant at Masses and at funerals,
performing Baptisms, officiating at weddings, leading Benediction and conducting
Communion Services. Glenn fulfilled his call to vocation as a deacon by serving at
Our Lady of Mount Carmel from 1979 to 1996.

Afterward, Glenn moved his diaconal ministries to St. Mary’s by the Sea Church in
Huntington Beach. At St. Mary’s, Glenn continued to exercise and practice his call
to serve with Sacramental preparation and celebrating Baptisms, assisting at
Liturgies, and leading the Schola Choir for the Tridentine Mass and the Advent
Concerts.

Glenn led a robust life. Some of the activities that brought him great joy were:
Choir director for adult and boys choirs at several parishes for almost 60 years. He
loved music and played several instruments. His hobbies included cooking and
photography. Glenn loved telling many stories about growing up in Vermont and
always loved a good joke. He radiated warmth and kindness to all who were
privileged to know him.

Glenn is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Ann Erwin. He has 5 children:
Michele (David) Pecoraro of Huntington Beach, Glenn F. Erwin of Huntington
Beach, Damien (Merari) Erwin of Irvine, Maureen Erwin of Lafayette, California,
and Roseann Erwin, also of Lafayette, California. Six grandchildren: Diane,
Katherine, Hannah, Ruby, James and Alexander. His beloved sister Kathleen
(Dave) Hawley of Huntington Beach. He was preceded in death by his father,
Thomas Erwin, his mother, Aurore Campbell Erwin, sister Jeanette (Normand)
Mercure and infant sister Maureen. The Funeral Vigil, well attended by Family,
Friends, Parishioners, and Fellow Deacons was held on Thursday, September 28th,
at St. Mary’s by the Sea parish. Funeral mass was celebrated on Friday, September
29th, 10:00am at St. Mary’s by the Sea Church.