Fr. James Gavin O.F.M. Cap.

The Capuchin Franciscan friars of the Province of St. Mary, mourn the death of their brother, Father James Patrick Gavin, O.F.M. Cap., who passed from this life on Saturday, April 11, 2020, at St. Clare Friary, Yonkers, NY, at the age of 81.

James was born to James J. Gavin and Ellen T. Moyles-Gavin on February 26, 1939. He attended Sacred Heart Elementary School, Yonkers, NY [1945-1953] and St. Mary Glenclyffe HS, Garrison, NY [1953-1957]. Fr. James entered the Capuchin Franciscan friars at St. Lawrence Friary, Milton, MA, on August 31, 1957. He attended St. Anthony Friary Seminary, Hudson, NH [1958-1962], where he received his BA in Philosophy. He pronounced his perpetual vows on September 1, 1961. Father completed his theological studies at the Capuchin Theological Seminary, Garrison, NY [1962-1966]. Fr. James was ordained to the priesthood by Most Rev. John Maguire, Auxiliary Bishop of New York, on November 13, 1965, at the Monastery Church of the Sacred Heart in Yonkers, NY. Following his ordination, for the next 20 years, Father would minister as a missionary in both Okinawa, Japan, and the Marianas Islands, Guam. After one year in Okinawa, Father was a parochial assistant at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, [1967-1969] Agat, Guam, and a teacher and rector of the minor seminary at Fr. Duenas Memorial School [1969-1973], Mangilao, Guam. Fr. James served as the Superior Regular of the Guam mission [1969-1972]; 2nd Councilor [1972-74]; and 1st Councilor [1974-76] while residing at St. Fidelis Friary, Agaña Heights, Guam. Father ministered as pastor of St. Jude Thaddeus, Sinajaña, Guam [1973-1979] and Assumption of Our Lady, Piti, Guam [1979-1982]. He served as novice master [1982-1985] and was elected Vice Provincial of the newly-established Vice-Province Star of the Sea [1982-1985]. Father returned to the States in 1985 and served as a parochial assistant at St. Pius X, Middletown, CT [1985-87]; a hospital chaplain while residing at St. Anne Friary Smithtown, NY [1987-88]; parochial assistant at Sacred Heart, Yonkers, NY [1988-1990] and pastor of St. John the Baptist, NYC [1990-91]. Fr. James was also an avid preacher and retreat master for the next eleven years with residence at St. Conrad Friary, White Plains, NY [1991-93]; St. Francis Friary, Garrison, NY [1993-97]; and Sacred Heart Friary, Yonkers, NY [1997-2002]. Later he would serve as a parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist, NYC [2002-08] and parochial assistance at St. Michael, Brooklyn, NY [2008-11]. As a senior friar, Father continued his preaching ministry for the next five years while residing at Good Shepherd Friary, NYC [2011-16]. In 2016, Fr. James joined the senior friar community of St. Clare, Yonkers, NY, where he remained until his final days. Father leaves behind his four brothers and three sisters: John Gavin, William Gavin, Thomas Gavin, Francis Gavin, and Catherine Gavin-Leibowitz, Mary Gavin-Spellman, and Theresa Gavin-Logue as well as several nieces and nephews; grand-nieces and grand-nephews. All services will be private. Donations may be sent to Fr. James P. Gavin, O.F.M. Cap. Memorial Fund for the education of future Capuchin Franciscan friars at 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, New York 10703.

Whalen & Ball Funeral Home

168 Park Ave.

Yonkers, N.Y. 10703

(914)965-5488

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