Msgr. Richard J. Gill, age 88, died Thursday (August 30, 2012) at his home in Dunkirk, NY.
He was born Jan. 18, 1924 in Dunkirk, the son of the late Charles T. and May R. (Romasser) Gill.
A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, Msgr. Gill served from 1943-1946.
He attended St. Mary's Elementary School and St. Mary's Academy, both in Dunkirk. He then graduated from St. Bonaventure University in Olean and Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure University.
Msgr. Gill was ordained a priest by Bishop Joseph A. Burke on May 26, 1956 in St. Joseph New Cathedral in Buffalo.
In 1956, he was appointed Missionary Apostolate at St. Helen's in Hinsdale, NY, followed by assistant pastorates at St. James, Jamestown in 1957, Ascension in North Tonawanda, also in 1957; SS. Peter & Paul in Jamestown (1958), St. John the Evangelist in Buffalo (1964), St. John's, Alden (1967), St. John the Baptist, Kenmore (1968) and SS. Peter & Paul, Hamburg (1972). In 1974, he was named pastor of St. Patrick's Church in Brocton and in 1986 he assumed the pastorate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Silver Creek. He retired on Jan. 31, 1999.
Msgr. Gill was appointed Prelate of Honor in 1993.
He owned a farm on Center Road in Arkwright, which he allowed the Boy Scout organization to use for camping. He loved vintage cars, traveling and his beloved dog from years past.
Survivors include a sister, Winifred (Gill) Langen of Rochester; a sister-in-law, June Gill of Trumansburg, NY; nieces and caregivers Charlane M. Gill and Kay A. (David) Randazzo, both of Dunkirk; additional nieces Carol (Carl) Mann of Trumansburg; Kathy (Dennis) Kalota of Fenton, MO, Marcy (Robert) Sennett of Rochester, NY, Melinda (David) Wysocki of Oceanside, CA, and Winnie (Paul) Bahn and Harless Hartman, both of Modesto, CA; nephews Timothy C. (Linda) Gill of Lakewood, NY, Paul R. (Paula) Gill and Christopher T. Gill, both of Dunkirk; Thomas (Nancy) Gill of Fairview, TN, Robert Langen of Honolulu, HI, Joseph Langen of Rochester, Gregory (Anita) Langen of Pittsford, NY, Martin Langen of Hilton, NY, Charles (Barbara) Wenborne of San Dimas, CA, Richard (Noreen) Wenborne of Kewaunee, WI, and Mark (Patricia) Wenborne of Moreno, CA; great-nephews Scott J. (Jenon) Parker of Omaha, NE; and Michael P. Gill of Dunkirk; and great-nieces Michelle L. (Chris) Brigmon of Fairview, NC; and Amy L. Galloway of Weaverville, NC.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas J. Gill and Charles P. Gill; two sisters, Mary Helen (Gill) McDonough and Beatrice (Gill) Peters; and a niece, Patricia M. McDonough.
Msgr. Gill will lie-in-state Monday, Sept. 3, 2012 from 2-8 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 165 Central Ave, Silver Creek. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Silver Creek with Bishop Edward Grosz, auxiliary bishop of Buffalo, as principal celebrant. Military honors will be accorded by the American Legion Post 434 of Brocton and members of the U.S. Army. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined. Arrangements are by the Hole-Parker Funeral Chapel, Silver Creek.
Chautauqua Today - September 4, 2012