Michael Saltarelli, who served for 12 years as the Catholic bishop of Wilmington, Del., until his retirement last year, died early Thursday.The Diocese of Wilmington includes the entire Eastern Shore of Maryland.
A diocesan spokesman said the 77-year-old Saltarelli died from a bone cancer that had spread.
Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien, who served with Saltarelli on the board of governors of the Maryland Catholic Conference, expressed his "great sadness to God's people in the Diocese of Wilmington."
"With a love for his priestly ministry always in his heart, Bishop Saltarelli led the Church in Wilmington through a period of tremendous growth and through times of pain and difficulty," O'Brien said in a statement.
"Indefatigable throughout his battle with cancer, Bishop Saltarelli continued to serve God with great love for His people and with the selfless witness that were hallmarks of his priestly ministry."
A native of Jersey City, N.J., Saltarelli was ordained a priest in 1960 and worked in New Jersey until he was appointed bishop of Wilmington in 1995.
In accordance with church law, he offered his resignation when he turned 75 and the Rev. W. Francis Malooly was installed as bishop in September 2008.
Details of public services for Saltarelli are being finalized.
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