Fr. Gerald Aloysius Dunphy

After a short illness, for which he was very grateful, Gerald Dunphy, a priest with the Diocese of Antigonish, died with family and friends to help him make his passage to God. He passed away Sunday, August 15, 2010 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

Having recently retired as pastor of Immaculate Heart/St Joseph, he had hoped to spend some time with fewer responsibilities and more relaxation. The Lord had different plans for his life.

Gerald was the son of John William Dunphy and Margaret MacPhee. Both John and Margaret were of humble roots. John was a coal miner and Margaret the daughter of a coal miner. Gerald had 8 siblings-Mary, Josephine, Edward, John, Michael, Ray, Alvin, and Christina, all are deceased except Michael, Brandon, Manitoba and Christina (Bob MacPhee), Truro. He is survived by many nieces and nephews. Gerald grew up in Dominion and Reserve Mines. At 16 years of age he began his studies for the priesthood with the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement; to the Friars he owes his high school and university education. With his theological studies almost completed with the Atonement Friars, his vocation to the priesthood shifted to the Diocesan priesthood and he was ordained for the Diocese of Antigonish on May 19, 1968. During the next 42 years he served at St. Ninians, Antigonish; St. Anne’s, Glace Bay; Holy Redeemer, Sydney and as Pastor at St. Peter’s Parish, St. Peter’s; Immaculate Conception, Sydney Mines; and Immaculate Heart/St. Joseph, Sydney. Through the years he served on many diocesan committees and, while in Sydney Mines did some community development work with the Sydney Mines Renewal Association. Gerald’s life as a priest was his calling and he extends thanks to the many parishioners in the various parishes who gave such meaning to his life.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 on Tuesday at T.W.Curry Parkview Chapel and then from 7-9 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, with the KOC Prayer Service and Vigil commencing at 7 p.m. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at St. Joseph Church. Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery, Reserve Mines.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Food Bank in your local community.

Online condolences may be sent to www.twcurry.com

Arrangements under the direction of T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel, Sydney, NS.