Father Gordon, T.O.R., who served in East Baltimore, dies at 76

Third Order Regular Franciscan Father M. Gerald Gordon died at 76 Nov. 10 in Holidaysburg, Pa., after a long illness. His ministry included St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Baltimore, where he was in residence in the early 2000s.

A native of Philadelphia, Father Gordon received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from what is now St. Francis University in Loretto, Pa., and attended St. Francis Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1969. He earned a master’s degree in Franciscan Studies from the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University in New York in 1975, making him the first from his order to receive the degree.

Active in high school, college and retreat ministry, Father Gerald ministered at parishes in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Florida and Texas, in addition to the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Due to poor health, Father Gerald returned to Loretto in 2015, where he served in prayer ministry. A funeral Mass was offered Nov. 15 at 4 p.m. at St. Francis Friary at Mount Assisi in Loretto.