In Memoriam: Father Paul Drobin
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The Reverend Paul J. Drobin, 84, went home to the Lord on September 27, 2024. Born in Utica on June 27, 1940, to Joseph F. and Stella J. Gladwin (Gladysiewicz) Drobin, Father Paul lived a life filled with passion and purpose.
Father Drobin’s home parish was Holy Trinity in Utica. He was a graduate of St. John Kanty Prep in Erie, Penn. He studied at St. Andrew’s and Bernard’s seminaries and Theological College of the Catholic University of America. He later earned a master’s degree in religious studies from the University of Detroit and a certificate in pastoral counseling from the Onondaga Pastoral Counseling Center.
Father Drobin was ordained on May 21, 1966, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse, serving as a priest in the Diocese of Syracuse for 58 years. His pastoral assignments included assistant pastor of Transfiguration Church in Rome and pastor of St. John the Evangelist in New Hartford. He served as Newman chaplain at Hamilton and Kirkland colleges, and at Utica College and SUNY Polytechnic Institute.
Father Drobin was a member of the faculties of Rome Catholic High School and Utica Catholic Academy and director of Family Life and Community Services at Catholic Charities in the Eastern Region.
Asked about a highlight of his years as a priest, Father Drobin drew on a conversation he once had with a young faith formation student who asked about the most important thing that had happened to him as a priest. Father Drobin changed the question to answer in the present tense: “When people invite you into the sacred parts of their lives, that’s the most important thing that happens to me … and it happens every day of my life.”
Father Drobin marked his jubilee with a Mass at Holy Trinity in Utica on May 22, 2016.
His community service in the Utica area was wide-ranging. He was a loyal supporter of The Ride for Missing and Exploited Children; he was founder and president of the Samaritan Counseling Center and president of the Utica Public Library. He served on numerous community service boards including the Resource Center for Independent Living, United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area, Institute for Applied Ethics at Utica College, Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, The House of The Good Shepherd and St. Luke’s and St. Elizabeth’s hospitals.
Father Drobin was awarded with several honors for his commitment to the community, too. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Theology from Utica College, the Dream Maker Award from The Women’s Fund and the Starfish Award from Catholic Charities, to name just a few.
In 1952, he played in the first Little League game in Utica and carried his love for baseball throughout his life. He cherished his Polish heritage and belonged to the Polish Community Club and the Kopernik Memorial Association. His interests included music, art and reading.
Surviving is his dearly beloved, Carolyn B. Campion, his niece Emily Madeja and her children, Stella and Henry Mollenberg (Buffalo), nephew Alex Madeja and his wife, Katie Sanoja and their son, Jude Mackay (Biscayne Park, Fla.) and numerous cousins.
He was predeceased by his dear brother, the Reverend Dr. Frederick A. Drobin, beloved sister, Judith M. Madeja and her husband Michael, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Calling hours were held on October 4 at Holy Trinity Church in Utica, followed by the Vigil Service for a Priest. A Celebration of Life and Mass of Christian Burial was held on October 5 at Holy Trinity Church. Interment took place in Holy Trinity Cemetery at the Drobin family plot, Yorkville.
Please consider donations in Father Drobin’s memory to the Thea Bowman House, The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida counties or the Holy Trinity Church Memorial Fund. Envelopes are available at the church.
Arrangements are under the direction of McGrath, Myslinski, Kowalczyk & Nunn Funeral Directors, 470 French Road, Utica.
