‘Was a Compassionate Man’
Msgr. John Keppler, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, died on June 5 at age 91.
Msgr. Keppler, who was born Aug. 5, 1934, and ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1960, was pastor of American Martyrs in Bayside.
He also served the Diocese of Brooklyn as a co-director of the Office of Vocations, as well as parochial vicar for St. Bernadette in Dyker Heights, St. Vincent Ferrer in East Flatbush, and Holy Cross in Flatbush.
Msgr. Keppler was in residence at St. Andrew Avellino in Flushing and served as spiritual director at Mater Christi High School in Astoria and Bishop Reilly High School in Fresh Meadows.
Deacon Stanley Galazin, a retired deacon of the diocese, was the homilist at Msgr. Keppler’s funeral Mass. He and Msgr. Keppler met when the latter was assigned to American Martyrs.
Deacon Galazin noted that it was the beginning of a four-decade friendship.
“My fond memory of him was ministering with him when I was ordained a permanent deacon in 1998,” Deacon Galazin said.
Deacon Galazin said that Msgr. Keppler was “a simple, kind, compassionate man who would give you the shirt off his back.”
He added that Msgr. Keppler had been an avid saltwater fisherman and a diehard Yankees fan.
The funeral Mass for Msgr. Keppler was celebrated on June 20 at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston. Burial followed at St. John’s Cemetery in Middle Village.
Lived ‘Service to God’s People’
Msgr. Robert Ecker, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, died on June 3 at age 99. At the time of his death, Msgr. Ecker was the oldest priest ordained for the Diocese of Brooklyn.
Msgr. Ecker, who was born on March 2, 1927, and ordained to the priesthood on June 9, 1951, served as an assistant at Our Lady of Angels in Bay Ridge from 1951 to 1962 and at Our Lady of Lourdes in Queens Village in 1962.
He was then a chaplain in the U.S. Navy for 29 years, rising to the rank of captain.
Born and raised in St. Therese of Lisieux Church in Montauk, New York, he attended Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore and Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington, New York.
Msgr. Ecker was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He spent his later years serving at Sacred Heart Church in Coronado, California, near a large Navy base.
Father Michael Murphy, pastor of Sacred Heart, will be the homilist at Msgr. Ecker’s funeral Mass.
Father Murphy said that Msgr. Ecke’s “entire priestly life was one of service to God’s people: from Our Lady of Angels Parish in Bay Ridge to the jungles of Vietnam, from the hallowed Halls of the United States Naval Academy to counseling people walking along San Diego Bay.”
He added that Msgr. Ecker was “always available to people. Father Bob had a disarming sense of humor and would preach the word of God with his humor.”
Father Murphy also noted that Msgr. Ecker paid Catholic school tuition for families who couldn’t afford it and helped many in need.
The funeral Mass for Msgr. Ecker will be celebrated on June 24 at his home parish, St. Therese of Lisieux in Montauk. Burial will follow at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery in East Hampton.
Sister Richard Mary Peters, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died on June 10 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Born on July 8, 1943, in Flushing, and given the name Marilynn Ann, Sister Richard Mary was the daughter of the late John Richard and Rosetta Margaret Mary Cullen Peters. She entered the IHM Congregation on Sept. 8, 1961, made temporary profession of her vows on June 26, 1964, and final profession of her vows on June 26, 1969.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education/English, and Master of Science degree in elementary education, from Marywood College.
Sister Richard Mary served as a teacher in the following schools from 1966-1995: Holy Angels Elementary School in Pittsburgh; St. Dominic Elementary School in Oyster Bay, New York; Sacred Heart of Mary Elementary School in Jermyn, Pennsylvania; St. Mary Elementary School in Manhasset, New York; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Elementary School in Forest Hills; Our Lady of Grace Montessori School in Manhasset; St. Peter of Alcantara Elementary School in Port Washington, New York; and St. Ambrose Elementary School in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
For 30 years, Sister Richard Mary dedicated her life to a ministry of quiet presence and steadfast service, embodying the true meaning of a faithful companion.
In 2006, she transitioned to Our Lady of Peace Residence, where she continued her compassionate work.
Sister Richard Mary is survived by her cousins and by the members of the IHM Congregation.
The Mass of Christian Burial was held on June 16 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Dunmore, Pennsylvania.