Fr. Joseph Gurdak

The Capuchin Franciscan friars of the Province of St. Mary mourn the death of their brother, Fr. Joseph Gurdak, who passed from this life on Tuesday, May 6, in New York City, at the age of 81.

For 14 years, from 2006-2020, Father Joe was pastor at St. Anne-St. Augustin Parish in Manchester, a multicultural congregation that ministers to African, Latino and Vietnamese communities. He was a tireless defender of Manchester's immigrant and refugee population, and he built bridges between the Irish and French-Canadian Catholics who were the historic core of the parish and present-day immigrants.

He was born in Yonkers, New York, on Aug. 12, 1943, to Joseph R. Gurdak and Catherine Farrell. He entered the novitiate on Aug. 31, 1962, professed his perpetual vows on Sept. 1, 1966, and was ordained to the priesthood on Sept. 12, 1970. He was a missionary in Central America for 15 years before coming to Manchester.

In 2017, Father Joe fell into a coma while on retreat. He spent the next six months in recuperation. Relieved of his pastoral duties in 2020, he retired to his hometown of Yonkers to live in the Capuchins' senior fraternity.

He is survived by a sister, Sr. Carole Gurdak of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and other relatives.

The wake will be held on Friday, May 9, from 4-7 p.m. at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home, 168 Park Ave., Yonkers, New York. The funeral will be celebrated on Saturday, May 10, at 11 a.m., at Sacred Heart Church, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, New York.

In place of flowers, donations can be made to the Province of St. Mary in support of the continued good works of the Capuchin friars. Send donations to the Capuchin Mission & Development Office, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY 10703.