Monsignor Bruce Dreier

Known for donning an apron, cooking French fries, reaching beyond his San Bruno parish and aiming to help those in needs, Monsignor Bruce Dreier at Saint Robert’s Catholic Church died after an eight-month battle with liver cancer Monday.

He was 60.

Dreier, who came to the San Bruno church five years ago, is remembered as a hard-working man who wanted to be involved in not only his church but the community.

“He was a great person,” said Sister Sheral Marshall, pastoral associate for liturgy at Saint Robert. “He had a wonderful sense of humor; a dry sense of humor.”

Marshall recalled Dreier as someone who really enjoyed being around children, was great at listening to people and was very involved in his community.

Dreier was born in San Francisco in 1949, the oldest child of Jim and Pat Dreier. He grew up in Marin County with siblings Gordon, Joan and Paul attending Saint Anselm School and Marin Catholic High School. Dreier entered Saint Patrick’s Seminary after earning a bachelor’s degree in history from the College of Marin and University of San Francisco and a master’s degree in counseling from the University of San Francisco.

He was ordained at Saint Mary’s Cathedral by Archbishop John R. Quinn May 13, 1978, then assigned to Saint Elizabeth Church in San Francisco and as chaplain at Cathedral High School. In 1980, Dreier also became chaplain at Sacred Heart High School. His responsibilities were expanded when Dreier became associate chaplain of the San Francisco Fire Department. Within a year, he became chaplain serving San Francisco in that capacity for five years.

In 1982, Dreier was appointed director of vocations for the archdiocese. Three years later, he was appointed as secretary for the Office of Priestly Personnel and Formation. Dreier began his service as parochial vicar at Saint Cecilia Church in San Francisco in 1990.

The following year, Dreier was appointed parochial vicar at Saint Elizabeth Church until 1992 when he was named pastor of the Church of the Epiphany in San Francisco. On July 15, 2000, Pope John Paul II named him a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness, with the title of Monsignor.

More than anything, Dreier enjoyed cooking.

One of the first things Dreier did when he moved to San Bruno was put a gas line into the kitchen of his living quarters, said parishioner Dr. Rick Rolfef.

“He was one of the most Christ-like priests I ever met. He was able to relate to all kinds of people regardless of their age, gender, race, nationality, social status or even religious belief. ... I don’t think you would find another priest who would spend an entire day at AT&T park cooking French fries.”

Dreier began volunteering at Centerplate at the Giants ballpark to raise money while serving at Church of the Epiphany. A portion of the proceeds would go to the church.

Dreier served 12 years at Church of the Epiphany before beginning work at Saint Robert’s Church, where he served until his death. He brought his work at Centerplate to the people of San Bruno. Money raised then supported the Saint Robert’s School, said Marshall.

San Bruno City Clerk Carol Bonner volunteered with Dreier once noting it was one of the hardest days of work.

“He was one of the most awesome men I have ever met in my entire life,” she said.

Dreier was known for being involved and wanting to help. He first met Rolfef, a podiatrist, in a professional capacity. Dreier one day approached Rolfef about throwing a fundraisers for one of his employees, a single mother who was very ill. In one night, the fundraiser was enough to cover many of her bills.

“He called it Friends Helping Friends,” Rolfef explained. “He would raise funds, not only for parishioners, but members of the community who needed help.”

San Bruno Councilman Rico Medina, also a Saint Robert parishioner, remembered Dreier as having an impact beyond the San Bruno church.

“It’s probably a double loss. It’s not only a loss for us who have him as a priest or pastor, but many people have lost a friend as well,” he said, adding Dreier led by example. “He didn’t just sit in the front seat. He was in the trenches with the parishioners at various events and functions. He never wanted to just sit there and give direction.”

Dreier brought his love of cooking to church and community events as well. Rolfef remembered Dreier hosting the annual Father Bruce French fry booth at the parish festival.

“It’s funny in a nice way. He was always the first one there to set up for any event and the last one there cleaning when it was all over,” he said.

Dreier also grew vegetables at the church and kept nuts outside for the squirrels. As a result, there are often squirrels in the area, Marshall noted.

Dreier also served on many Archdiocesan councils and boards over the years particularly in areas of education, priestly ministry, stewardship and finance.

“He was very open in sharing himself with others,” said Rolfef. “There was nothing he wouldn’t do. He wasn’t too good to clean the floor or cook some French fries. He always took part in the cooking at parish events. You’d always see him with an apron on.”

A vigil will be held 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17 at Saint Robert Church, 1380 Crystal Springs Road in San Bruno. A funeral mass will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18 at Saint Mary’s Cathedral, 1111 Gough St. in San Francisco.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.