BRO. ALVA J. GILLIS, S.M. died in the service of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 31, 2022, at the age of 92 and with 37 years of vowed life. He was born in Troy, OH on February 14, 1930, the youngest child of Elza Gayle Gillis and Myrtle Idella Holman. His other 4 siblings, Charles, Robert, Orville, and Martha are all deceased. After education in the Troy Public School System through 10th grade and 2 years of vocational school, he went into military service (1951-57). In 1954 when he returned to civilian life and become a Catholic, he married Amelia Casserta and they had six children, before an uncontested divorce in 1979. Alva worked for Hobart Corporation for 32 years, rising from a common laborer to a detail inspector.
He had been considering a religious vocation, and after the marriage situation was regularized, he entered the Marianist Novitiate and was professed on August 10, 1985. He became a Certified Pastoral Minister in 1987, after studies in Cleveland. Final Profession took place on August 13, 1988, after studies in Cleveland. He served as Director of Religious Education, Pastoral Minister, and assisted with many Separated and Divorced Catholic groups in Albion, MI, Dayton, OH, and Pittsburgh, PA. A skilled laborer, he used those gifts at Bergamo Center (Dayton), North Catholic H.S. (Pittsburgh) and St. John's Home (Rockaway, NY), where he trained young men in maintenance, remodeling, and restaurant skills. Retirement came in 1996, but Br. Al continued volunteer service in several diocesan Catholic Charities Organizations and Development Work in various schools. In August 2004, Bro. Gillis moved to the Marianist Residence in San Antonio, TX in order to escape the snow in the north. There he continued to volunteer in computer services with the Development Offices of Central Catholic H.S. and at St. Mary's University.
Bro. Al was proud to be part Native American (Shawnee). His simple philosophy: "If my little corner of the world is a better place because I was here, then my life was worthwhile."
His fellow religious commented upon his request for final vows, "his many experiences through the years as a worker, family man, and the involvement with Divorced and Separated Catholics ministry, made him a more compassionate and humble person."
Bro. Gillis is survived by three daughters, Deborah A. Stumpf, Therese C. Courtney, and Mary A. Kidder; three sons, Alva Jr., Charles, and Joseph; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marianist Mission, Mt. St. John, 4435 East Patterson Road, Dayton, OH 45430-1033 or a charity of your choice.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Sunday, January 8, 2023 Visitation will begin at 6:30pm with a Rosary Service at 7:00pm (followed by Story Telling.)
Monday, January 9, 2023 Visitation will resume at 3:00pm with Mass of the Resurrection at 3:30pm. Both Services will be held at Assumption Chapel at St. Mary's University. Internment immediately following at the Marianist Cemetery.
Both Services Will Be Live-Streamed:
www.stmarytx.edu/live
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