GROSSE ILE, Mich. (AP) - Authorities on Thursday recovered the body of a Catholic priest who was one of two people who died when a boat capsized on the Detroit River.
The Rev. Stephen Rooney’s body was found miles away near Monroe. The body of the boat’s skipper, Robert Chiles, was recovered Tuesday.
More than a dozen people were aboard Chiles’ 39-foot boat when it capsized Sunday night near Grosse Ile. The others survived.
Rooney, a native of Ireland, was pastor at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Trenton. Parish members prayed for both men Monday night.
Rooney, 66, and Chiles, 52, had become close after the priest counseled his family following the death of Chiles’ wife last year.
“Over the last year, as they faced together the loss of Christine, they shared meals together and time together,” said the Rev. Marc Gawronski, pastor at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Grosse Ile. “Certainly, at the Chiles’ home, Father Rooney was a guest many times.”
Another priest, Monsignor Charles Kosanke, was also on the boat when it capsized.
“This was an unspeakable tragedy that has affected the lives of many wonderful people,” Kosanke said. “I am very grateful for the quick and unselfish response of nearby people whose actions prevented further loss of life.”
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