2 November

 

 

GEOFFREY DEEKER (priest)

 

 

n. 26.12.1933 a  Somerville MA

 

Prof. temporanea 22.6.1954

 

Prof. perpetua 22.6.1959

 

Ordinazione 4.6.1960

 

m. 2.11.2008 a Dalton

 

Anni 86

 

 

The Reverend Geoffrey John Deeker, C.S.S., in residence at Saint Joseph Church (Pittsfield, MA) was born to eternal life on Monday, November 2, 2020, in Dalton, Massachusetts. He was 86 years old, 61st a member of the Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers for 66 years, and in his year of priesthood.

Father Geoff was born on December 26, 1933 in Somerville, Massachusetts, the only child to the late Geoffrey A. and Margaret M. (Coughlan) Deeker. After attending Boston College High School he began his journey to the priesthood on September 14, 1948 when he entered the Stigmatine community in Waltham, MA., and professed his first vows on June 22, 1954. His perpetual profession came five years later on June 22, 1959. After completing his theological studies at Catholic University (Washington, D.C.), he was ordained on June 4, 1960 at Saint Peter's Church in Cambridge by Bishop Thomas Riley. From that day onward he ministered to the People of God with faith, integrity and perseverance. A devoted member of the Stigmatine community, Father Geoff had an affable personality, quietly sensitive to the people whom he served. He ministered in several communities, always with humility and grace. He served as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish (Pittsfield, MA,) Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish (Springfield, MA) and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (Waltham, MA.). Father Geoff also generously made himself available to assist with Stigmatine community needs in developing vocations and organizing the liturgy for special occasions. He often volunteered to act as recording secretary for many Stigmatine Provincial Chapters and assemblies, a tedious yet necessary function.

Until its closure in 2008, Father Deeker was the pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where he had served for twenty one years. He remained in the Berkshires, however, residing at Saint Joseph’s Church, assisting several local parishes with pastoral ministry, until declining health prevented him from doing what he most loved and enjoyed and had been his vocation for more than sixty years.

Father Geoff will always be remembered for his kindness and gentle nature, and of course, for the enthusiasm he had for whatever he was involved in at the moment. As a young priest he was an avid and stylish bowler and for a while was a devoted scout chaplain. After a stint as chaplain to the Civil Air Patrol, he fell in love with all things aeronautical. But the most enduring memory of Father Geoff was his abiding and lively interest in the liturgical life of the Church. He understood and cherished every aspect of Catholic liturgy and ritual. The liturgy, for Father Geoff, was not simply an historical experience. Father Geoff saw the liturgy as a beautiful and vibrant way to bring a person into the presence of God. He was convinced this was relevant in every age and for every person of any age.

In addition to his parents, Father Deeker is reunited in Heaven with his Stigmatine confreres who preceded him and many friends and parishioners he loved and served as a priest.

Father Deeker’s Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 9, 2020, in Saint Joseph’s Church, 414 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be available in the church on Sunday, November 8, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Monday, November 9 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Committal will take place Monday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in Sacred Heart Cemetery, 109 Medway Road, Milford, Massachusetts.

 

 

 

 

http://iobserve.org/2020/11/05/father-geoffrey-deeker-senior-priest-of-pittsfield-dies-at-86/

 

PITTSFIELD —  Stigmatine Father Geoffrey John Deeker, 86, in residence at St. Joseph Church, Pittsfield, died on Nov. 2 in Dalton. He was a member of the Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers for 66 years, and in his 61st year of priesthood.

He was born on December 26, 1933 in Somerville, Mass., the only child to the late Geoffrey A. and Margaret M. (Coughlan) Deeker. After attending Boston College High School he entered the Stigmatine community in Waltham, Mass., on Sept. 14, 1948 and professed his first vows on June 22, 1954. His made his perpetual profession on June 22, 1959.

After completing his theological studies at The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., he was ordained on June 4, 1960 at St. Peter Church in Cambridge, Mass., by Bishop Thomas Riley, auxiliary bishop of Boston.

He served as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Pittsfield; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Springfield; and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Waltham. From 1962-1964, he was chaplain of the Berkshire Council of the Boy Scouts of America. from 1964-1966, he was stationed in Wellesley, Mass., and Springfield while serving as vocations director for the Stigmatines. He also served as chaplain for the Civil Air Patrol, Framingham, Mass., during that time.

He served as associate pastor at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Springfield from 1966-1978. From 1976-1978, he also served as special assistant for liturgies at St. Michael’s Cathedral, Springfield, and was chaplain for the Civil Air Patrol, West Springfield Squadron.

From 1978-1987, he was associate pastor at Sacred Heart Parish, Waltham, and director of the Stigmatine House of Studies in Watertown, Mass., as well as vocation director, provincial councilor, and compiler/editor of The Stigmatine Ritual.

 

From 1987-2008, he was pastor of the former Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Pittsfield, which included the former All Souls Mission in Pittsfield. During that time, he also was provincial councilor, vicar provincial, and vocation director for the Stigmatines; a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and other advisory committees of the Springfield Diocese, as well as chaplain for the Pittsfield chapter of UNICO International.

In 2008, Springfield Bishop Timothy McDonnell named Father Deeker the senior priest in service to the Catholic community of Pittsfield, with residence at St. Joseph Rectory.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Nov. 9 at St. Joseph Church, 414 North St., Pittsfield, at 11 a.m. A period of visitation will be held in the church on Sunday, Nov. 8 from 2-4 p.m. and on Monday morning, Nov. 9, from 9:30-11 a.m. Committal will take place that afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in Sacred Heart Cemetery, 109 Medway Rd., Milford, Mass.

Donations in Father Deeker’s memory may be sent to the Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers, 123 William St., Springfield, MA 01105.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 health protocols, all who plan to attend the wake and liturgy are required to wear masks and maintain safe distancing. Bringing hand sanitizer is recommended.

 

 

 

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