Brother Edward V. Grinder, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Born in Akron, Ohio on December 8, 1 944, he was the son of the late Edward J. and Geraldine (McGuckin) Grinder. His sister, Mary Beth, is deceased.

He attended Saint Paul’s Grade School in Akron, and was a 1962 graduate of Archbishop Hoban High School there. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1966 from Saint Vincent College, and a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1973.  He earned a Master of Arts degree in economics from Kent State University in 1975. He completed additional graduate studies at Boston College and completed a Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in finance from the University of Pittsburgh in 1995.

He entered the novitiate of the Benedictine monastic community of Saint Vincent Archabbey in 1969, made simple profession of vows on July 10, 1970, and solemn profession of vows on July 10, 1973.  He was ordained a deacon at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg by the late William G. Connare, Bishop of Greensburg, on May 30, 1974.

Brother Edward primarily served the Archabbey in its educational apostolates.  He was director of forensics at Saint Vincent Preparatory School. At Saint Vincent College, he served as a dormitory moderator, instructor in economics, and director of Activities and Scheduling, all in the mid-1970s; assistant professor in economics (1976-1992), director of debate (1980-1992), and a member of the President’s Council (1977 and 1981-1982).  From 1983 to 1992, he was chairman of the Economics Department.  During his tenure as director of debate, he took part in numerous national collegiate debate tournaments and was a founding member of the American Debate Association and an officer of its executive committee.

He also served the local community in other capacities. He was a member of the Board of Directors (1983-1992, 1999-2025), executive secretary (1983-1992), president (1989-1991) and treasurer (1999-2025) of Wimmer Corporation, Latrobe, and served on the First Wimmerton Community Association Board (1982-1988, 1989-1992).  He is a former member of the Latrobe Area Chamber of Commerce-Standing Committee Economic Understanding Committee (1980-1984). He served on the Unity Township Municipal Authority (1986-2008), as its vice chairman (1991-2008) and as its representative to the Latrobe Municipal Authority (1997-2002). He served as director of the Saint Vincent Cemetery from 1998 to 2011, and was benefits manager and plans administrator for the Abbey Health Care Programs (2003-2025).

The body of Brother Edward will be received at 2 p.m. on  Sunday, July 13, in the Elizabeth J. Roderick Center, Saint Vincent Archabbey. Viewing will be held on from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 13, and from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, July 14 in the Roderick Hall parlor. The body will be transferred to the Basilica for the vigil service at 7:15 p.m. on Monday, July 14.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Archabbey Basilica by Archabbot Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B. at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, with the homily to be given by Father Earl Henry, O.S.B. The rite of committal will follow at Saint Vincent Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Benedictine Health and Welfare Fund, Saint Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, Pa., 15650-2690.