By KAREN RICE
Rev. Gfroerer, known as Father Gerry to his parishioners, served as a priest at Our Lady of Good Counsel from 1969 until his retirement in 1988. During his years with the parish, he saw the closing of the parish school and subsequently became the director of religious education for the parish, according to the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
The priest's interest in his community led to his involvement in other areas. He served the Community Action Program as an assistant treasurer and member of the board of directors. In 1987 he was invited to become the Inwood Fire Department chaplain, and served as the department's secretary.
Rev. Gfroerer was a thoughtful man, said long-time friend Deacon Thomas Rich, a nurse at St. Pius X Residence in Uniondale, where Gfroerer spent his 15 years of retirement. Gfroerer moved to Maria Regina Residence, a nursing home sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph, about a week before he died.
He was a true friend, said Rich. He was thoughtful and he always tried to help in any way he could. He was a good friend to have and to talk to. He was a good listener that way.
Rich, who also served as a fire department chaplain, added that after his retirement from Our Lady of Good Counsel, Rev. Gfroerer wanted to remain a devoted community member. He remained as chaplain to the Inwood Fire Department even after his retirement, Rich said. He still wanted to be kept abreast of things. He wanted to remain active.
During his retirement, Rev. Gfroerer also returned to school and became a certified emergency medical technician while filling in at various parishes when needed.
Rich was also impressed with the way Rev. Gfroerer remained friends with many people from his past parishes. He kept friendships from all the different parishes he was in, Rich said. I was always impressed with how these friendships lasted through the years. It showed how he touched these people through his ministry.
Rev. Gfroerer, who was ordained to the priesthood in 1951, served a number of committees, boards and organizations dedicated to helping noble causes, such as alleviating the problems of juvenile delinquency and improving race relations, before he moved to the Diocese of Rockville Centre in 1957. He was incardinated into the diocese in 1963.
He was first assigned to Holy Name of Mary Church in Valley Stream in 1957. After almost two years there, he was transferred to St. Joseph's parish in Kings Park.
In 1960 Rev. Gfroerer was assigned to Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church in Southampton. During his nine years there, he was appointed by the Diocese of Rockville Centre to a commission on race relations. With the formation of Southampton College, he also founded the Newman Club, and served as a chaplain and on the Board of Religious Advisors at the school, according to the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
In addition, Gfroerer founded and served as a moderator for the Southeast Chapter of the Catholic Nurses Association, and was appointed to the Equal Opportunities Committee of the Southampton Human Relations Council.
He was very proud to be a priest, said Rich. His priesthood was very dear to him. He felt graced. It always impressed me that saying Mass was his greatest joy. He loved making Jesus present on the altar for the people [of the congregation].
The Rev. Thomas Mulvanerty, in his homily at Rev. Gfroerer's funeral Mass, agreed that his colleague was very proud to be a priest. Mulvanerty cared for Rev. Gfroerer during his illness.
He absolutely loved being a priest with the unique privilege of celebrating Mass, Mulvanerty said. He loved the prayers of the Mass. He would bellow those words with a conviction and a strength that could have broken your eardrums. To ask him to speak softer was regarded as an insult.
Rev. Gfroerer, who was born in Brooklyn on Aug. 11, 1921 to the late Catherine F. Elliott and Godfrey J. Gfroerer, was a direct descendent of Peter Stuyvesant on his mother's side. He attended Catholic schools, the Teachers College at St. John's University and the Epiphany Apostolic Seminary in Newburgh, N.Y. He continued his education at St. Joseph's Seminary at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and did graduate work at Loyola University in Baltimore, according to the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
Rev. Gfroerer was also devoted to his family, said Mulvanerty in his homily. Father Gerry knew the treasure we all have in family and friends, such people a blessing from God. He added that Rev. Gfroerer prayed for his nephew, niece, their spouses and their children every day.
Rev. Gfroerer was predeceased by a sister, Catherine Caufield, and is survived by a nephew and niece-in-law, Dennis and Peggy Caufield of Flushing, and a niece and nephew-in-law, Mary and William Baldridge of Virginia, and their children, Ann and Gideon.
A wake was held on Friday, Feb. 21, at Meserole Funeral Home in Inwood. The Rev. Msgr. Charles Fink celebrated a Mass of Vigil that night at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, where Rich was the homilist.
Bishop William Murphy presided at the Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre on Saturday, Feb. 22, where Mulvanerty delivered the homily. Burial was at St. John's Cemetery in Middle Village.
