Rev. Gerald D. Kampfer

GLENS FALLS Father Gerald D. Kampfer, 62, entered into eternal life Monday, January 6, 2003 at Glens Falls Hospital. Born in Albany, he was the beloved son of Jeanne Fleming Kampfer Werder and the late Franklyn F. Kampfer. Father Kampfer attended Bethlehem Central High School, Mater Christi Seminary in Albany and then Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure University. He was ordained a priest on May 20, 1967 in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Albany by Bishop Edward J. Maginn. He served at St. John the Baptist Parish, Walton, in his first summer assignment as associate pastor. He then ministered for three years as a faculty member at Vincentian Institute, while in residence at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Albany. Following that, he was the associate pastor at St. Marys Parish in Clinton Heights and Our Lady Help of Christians, Albany, before working in the Diocesan School Office as the coordinator for services for the learning disabled. For a short while, he was associate pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Cairo and administrator of St. John the Baptist Parish, Walton. He was pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, Chestertown and St. Monica Parish, Johnsonville, 1981-1992. Then he obtained a masters in social work from SUNY as well as a masters in Learning Disabilities and Education from the College of St. Rose. After positions at Wilton Developmental Center and Washington County Correctional Facility, he served as a certified social worked and credited alcohol and substance abuse counselor at St. Josephs Rehabilitation and Center Outpatient Clinic, Ticonderoga. For many years, he has also served weekends as a beloved sacramental minister in the Northern Points Cluster, comprising the parish communities of Blessed Sacrament, Hague, St. James, North Creek and St. John the Baptist, Chestertown. Father Kampfer was an avid dog lover and respected breeder, as well as a licensed judge of championship Irish Setters and most recently Smooth Fox Terriers. In addition to his mother, Father is survived by his brothers, John B. Kampfer of Wahiawa, Hawaii and F. Frederick Kampfer of Anchorage, Alaska; uncle of Kimberly Wessinger, Thomas and John Kampfer, Robert, Regina and Elizabeth Kampfer; several grandnieces and grandnephews also survive. Reception of the Body at St. John the Baptist Church, Chestertown will be Wednesday at 4 p.m. followed by calling hours in the church with a Cluster Liturgy to be celebrated at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Delmar with the Most Reverend Howard J. Hubbard, D.D., Bishop of Albany, presiding. Relatives and friends are invited to call in the chapel at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Thursday 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Interment at Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery, Glenmont will follow the Mass. Those wishing to remember Father Kampfer and his family, in a special way, may send contributions to Blessed Sacrament Church, St. James Church, St. John the Baptist Church, c/o Northern Points Cluster, P.O. Box 271, Brant Lake, NY 12815.