Gerard Quigley, OFM

1918 – 1983

Br. Gerard Quigley, OFM, was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, on April 4, 1918. He came to the friars in 1937 and spent a year as a tertiary brother at St. Francis Retreat House in Brookline, Mass.

He entered the novitiate Aug. 12, 1939, at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., and professed temporary vows Aug. 13, 1940. He remained in Paterson as the community’s cook. Fr. Gerard made his profession of solemn vows Sept. 17, 1943.

Fr. Gerard was assigned to St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., where he also worked in the kitchen. A year later he went to St. Stephen of Hungary Friary as cook, and in 1949, he volunteered to go as a missionary to Brazil. For 24 years Br. Gerard served as cook and guest master in Pires do Rio, Catalao, Ceres, Porangatu, and Anapolis. Illness forced him to return to the United States in 1973, and he was assigned to St. Anthony’s Shrine in Boston.

Br. Gerard was a happy friar who enjoyed making other people happy, and his good humor was infectious. He served two more years in Brazil, from 1975 to 1977, but his illness became worse and he was transferred to the Provincial Infirmary at St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, N.Y.

He died June 6, 1983. He was 65 years old and a professed friar for 42 years.