Father Joseph A. Gancila, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn who was serving as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic Church, Dyker Heights, died on Jan. 6. He was 50.
His funeral Mass was offered on Jan. 9 at Our Lady of Guadalupe. Auxiliary Bishop James Massa celebrated the Mass, and Father Casper Furnari, O.F.S., pastor emeritus of Holy Family Church, Fresh Meadows, was the homilist. Burial was at the Columbarium of the Basilica of Regina Pacis, Bensonhurst.
“He was a quiet person,” said Father Furnari, who knew Father Gancila since the priest was an infant. Father Furnari’s first assignment was at Regina Pacis, the home parish of Father Gancila’s family. Father Gancila attended Regina Pacis’ parish school before going to Xaverian H.S., Bay Ridge. Father Furnari noted that Father Gancila had lifelong health issues, but he didn’t allow illness to prevent him from becoming a priest.
“He was so dedicated to our Lord,” Father Furnari told The Tablet. “He loved being a priest. He did a lot of things without any fanfare.”
Father Gancila was known for inspiring vocations to the priesthood.
“I lost a mentor, a role model and a friend,” said Father Christopher Bethge, parochial vicar at Incarnation Parish, Queens Village, who was in the seventh grade when he met Father Gancila at Sacred Heart Church in Glendale.
“Father Joe was one of the best priests I have ever met — the one who first inspired me to be a priest. I’m going to miss him,” Father Bethge said.
Father Gancila was born in Brooklyn and was ordained a priest on June 2, 2001 at St. James Cathedral Basilica, Downtown Brooklyn, by Bishop Thomas Daily.
In addition to his assignments at Our Lady of Guadalupe and Sacred Heart, he served as a parochial vicar at St. Mary Mother of Jesus, Bensonhurst; Our Lady of Angels, Bay Ridge; and St. Bernadette, Dyker Heights. He also served as a part-time chaplain at Bishop Ford H.S.
Father Gancila was also a Virtus facilitator, working in the program that educates diocesan employees about sexual abuse.
“Being a facilitator for a priest is a very brave thing, opening himself to ridicule by people who were upset about the abuse crisis in the church was not easy, but Father Gancila was always available to give a session in his parish or any other parish,” said Maryellen Quinn, coordinator of the diocese’s Safe Environment Office.
“He taught parishioners how to keep themselves and their children safe,” Quinn said.
Father Gancila is survived by his parents, Louis and Joan Gancila; his sisters, Debbie Gaudino and Linda Marioni; and several nieces and nephews.
In my thoughts and prayers for Gods presence and peace during this difficult time!
missed but not forgotten
Father Joe was a great man. He will be deeply missed.
Father Gancila was a wonderful priest & a wonderful person he will be missed. He is a great loss to the Diocese May he Rest In Peace, Mary Ann & Louis Barra
I remember Father Joe as a six year old when his parents were lecturs at St. Rosalia. I recall my father saying, what polished and professional people his parents were. He used to as well comment on the children and how well behaved they were during mass. It’s truly an inspiration to know one of those children gave his life in serving the Lord. There are no words that can express your loss other than he has returned back to the Lord who he so greatly loved and served with all his heart and soul. May God give you strength in this time of loss and sadness.
i miss you, rest in peace.