Fr. Gavin Reilly, O.F.M.. Cap.

The Capuchin Franciscan Friars of the Province of St. Mary mourn the death of their brother Fr. Gavin Reilly, O.F.M. Cap who died on December 19, 2018, at St. Clare Friary, Yonkers, NY at the age of 90.

Bernard J. Reilly, Jr. was born to Bernard Reilly, Sr. and Margaret McCarthy-Reilly on July 15, 1928, in Brooklyn, NY. He attended PS 108, Brooklyn, NY [1934-1936]; St. Michael, Brooklyn, NY [1936-1942] and St. Mary Seminary, Garrison, NY [1942-1946]. Bernard entered the Capuchin Franciscan Friars at St. Felix Friary, Huntington, IN, receiving the name “Gavin.” He professed first vows on September 8, 1947, and perpetual vows on September 8, 1946, at Mary Immaculate Friary, Garrison, NY where he received his degree in Scholastic Philosophy in 1951. Fr. Gavin was ordained to the priesthood on June 26, 1954, at Sacred Heart Church, Yonkers, NY. Father completed his theological studies at Capuchin Theological Seminary, Garrison, NY in 1955. He would later receive his S.T.L. in Dogmatic Theology at the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC [1956] and his S.T.D., also in Dogmatic Theology from the Gregorian University, Rome, Italy [1964]. In the summer of 1962, Father began his study of Spanish at the University of Ponce, Puerto Rico and later at the Pastoral Institute in the Dominican Republic that he would use in his nearly 40 years of inner-city ministry. Father began his teaching career at Mary Immaculate Friary, Garrison, NY where he taught Dogmatic Theology and served as Dean of Students [1958-1970]. He would also serve as Chairman of the Theology Department of Ladycliff College, Highland Falls, NY. Fr. Gavin continued his teaching ministry, residing at St. Anthony Friary, Hudson, NH where he served as Dean of Students and professor of Theology at St. Anselm College, Manchester, NH. [1970-1976]. Father ministered as a parochial assistant at Our Lady of Sorrows, NYC from 1976 to 1981 and later 1984-1987. He also served as an assistant at Our Lady of Montserrat, Stamford, CT from 1981-1984. Fr. Gavin was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows, NYC, where he served from 1987-1991 and again 1991-1997 where he was also appointed Guardian of the Friar community. Father ministered as a parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist, NYC [1999-2003]. Father spent his senior friar years at St. Michael Friary, Brooklyn, NY [2003-2007]; Blessed James Haddad Friary, NYC [2007-2013]; and Our Lady of Sorrows Friary [2013-2015] spending these years as a ministerial assistant, researching his family tree and writing the history of the Province of St. Mary. Because of failing health, Father joined the senior friar community of St. Clare in 2015. Father was predeceased by his brother Thomas Reilly and survived by his two sisters Joan Reilly-O’Neill and Margaret Reilly-Doyle and their families. Viewing will be held at St. Clare Friary, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY on Friday, December 21, 2018, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. There will be a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. The funeral will be held at Sacred Heart Church, Yonkers, NY 10703 on Saturday, December 22, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. Following the Internment at the Province of St. Mary Cemetery, Yonkers a light lunch will be available for Father’s family and visiting friars at St. Clare Friary dining room. In lieu of flowers, donations will be gladly accepted for the continuing care of our senior friar community of St. Clare, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY 10703.

Whalen & Ball Funeral Home

168 Park Ave.

Yonkers, N.Y. 10703

(914)965-5488

www.whalenandballfh.com