The Diocese of Grand Rapids’ Office of Communications relays the following statement from Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, bishop of Grand Rapids, in response to the death of Peter F. Secchia:
With the death of Peter Secchia, the people of Grand Rapids lose an individual whose generosity and commitment to the community will have a lasting impact. An astute business leader, Mr. Secchia served our country as Ambassador to Italy and was fully engaged in the revitalization of downtown Grand Rapids.
The Diocese of Grand Rapids has been blessed through the philanthropic giving of Mr. and Mrs. Secchia. In 2012, as part of his family foundation’s Grand Rapids Community Legends project, a sculpture of Bishop Baraga, a missionary priest who brought Catholicism to Grand Rapids, was erected east of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. Connected to the area where the sculpture stands is the Piazza Secchia, a beautiful gathering space outside the cathedral made possible through a generous gift from his wife, Joan.
We offer our prayers and condolences to the Secchia family on the loss of their beloved husband, father and grandfather. May Mr. Secchia now rest in eternal peace.
To read Ambassador Secchia’s obituary, click here.
Contact:
Office of Communications
616-551-5629 | alaumeyer@grdiocese.org
Photo description: Bishop Baraga sculpture dedication, July 2012, from left, Bishop Walter Hurley, eleventh bishop of Grand Rapids, Joan Secchia, Peter Secchia and sculptor Jay Hall Carpenter.
