Msgr. John J. Gildea, a retired priest from the Diocese of Brooklyn, died on Dec. 28 at the age of 84. He was born on June 2, 1940, and ordained a priest on May 28, 1966. Msgr. Gildea served the Diocese of Brooklyn as parochial vicar for the parishes of St. Bartholomew (Elmhurst), St. Martin of Tours (Brooklyn), St. Pius X (Rosedale), Blessed Sacrament (Jackson Heights), St. Matthew (Brooklyn), St. Thomas Aquinas (Brooklyn), and as temporary administrator of Queen of All Saints (Brooklyn).
He also served as pastor of the parishes of Our Lady of Mercy (Brooklyn), St. Michael Archangel & St. Edward the Confessor (Brooklyn), Sacred Heart (Brooklyn), St. Martin of Tours-Fourteen Holy Martyrs (Brooklyn), and Our Lady of Loreto (Brooklyn), Holy Family (Brooklyn).
Msgr. Gildea served in the Diocesan Mission Apostolate in the Diocese of Coronel Oviedo in Paraguay and the Diocese of La Vega in the Dominican Republic.
“Msgr. Gildea’s life was shaped by a genuine desire to serve,” Father Carlos Velásquez said. “He was driven by a desire to serve and share the Gospel with those most in need.” Msgr. Gildea was a member
of the Diocese of Brooklyn Ecumenical and Interreligious Committee as well as a member of the Seminary Admissions Board. He was named Chaplain of His Holiness in 2019. A wake and vigil Mass for Msgr. Gildea was held on Jan. 6 at St. Bartholomew.
A funeral Mass was celebrated by Bishop Robert Brennan at Immaculate Conception Center (Douglaston) on Jan. 7. The homily was delivered by Father Velásquez. Burial followed at St. John Cemetery, Middle Village.
Msgr. Gildea’s family invites those wishing to send condolences to contact his sister, Mrs. Patricia Lynch, at 160 77th Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11209.
Brother Gabriel O’Brien, OSF, died on Dec. 31 at the age of 81. He was born on Aug. 9, 1943, under the given name Gerard. He was the son of the late Lillian and F. Edward O’Brien and had seven siblings — Edward, Kevin (deceased), Patricia, Robert, Ann, Joan, and Dennis.
He was raised in Red Hook and attended Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School, staffed by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. He graduated from Boys High School and worked for the City of New York Human Services agency until he entered religious life in 1963 and received the name Gabriel.
After a temporary profession in 1965, Brother Gabriel attended Franciscan University and the University of Dayton. In 1976-78, he was assigned to teach at Our Lady of Angels School and resided at Our Lady of Angels Friary in Bay Ridge. In 1978, he was assigned to teach at St. Anthony’s High School and resided in Padua Friary, Smithtown, New York. Brother Gabriel was assistant principal at St. Anthony’s High School from 1979-86 and resided at St. Bonaventure Friary.
From 1986-91, he held a position with Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens as director of Mary Star of the Sea apartments and resided at Bishop Ford High School Friary. In 1982, Brother Gabriel received a
Master’s degree in Public Administration from Long Island University. In 1989, he completed a post-master’s program at Hunter College School of Social Work.
He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus, was appointed formation director and candidate director for the Franciscan Brothers, and was elected to the Superior
General’s Council. He also served as the Director of Mission Awareness for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
In 1998, Brother Gabriel was administrator of Martin de Porres Village in the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey. In 2019, he was elected Superior General of the Franciscan Brothers and was re-elected Superior General in 2023. Brother Gabriel also served as the Director of Mission Awareness for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
