1924 – 2022 (October 21)
Joseph John Getz, O.S.A., was born on July 14, 1924, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the son of Peter F. and Eleanor A. (Herbert) Getz. He had two brothers and three sisters. He was baptized on July 27, 1924, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Atlantic City, New Jersey. He attended Saint Malachy Parish School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1930-1938), and LaSalle High School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1938-1942).
He went as a postulant to Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York (1942), and he was received into the Order as a novice on September 9, 1943. After a year at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York, he professed first vows on September 10, 1944. He then went to Villanova College (1944-1948), and received a BA in Philosophy. He next went to Augustinian College, Washington, DC (1948-1952) for his theological studies. He professed solemn vows on September 10, 1947. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 5, 1951, at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC, by Bishop John McNamara.
Fr. Getz was first assigned to Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York, as assistant novice master (1952-1954). He then served as associate pastor at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Jamaica, New York (1954-1959). In 1959, he was assigned to Saint Denis Parish, Havertown, Pennsylvania, as associate pastor (1959-1971). While at Saint Denis, he embellished the cemetery with its shrines and Stations of the Cross. From 1971 to 1981 he served as pastor at Saint Patrick Parish, Cambridge, New York, and he built the new rectory. He then served as pastor at Saint Augustine Parish, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1981-1983).
In 1983, he was asked to serve as the friar who coordinated the care of the sick and elderly of the Province and he was assigned to Saint Thomas Monastery and its health care facility (1983-1993). He also taught religion at the Day School of the Sacred Heart in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania (1988-1992). In 1993 he returned as pastor of Saint Patrick Parish, Cambridge, New York (1993-1997). In 1997 he was assigned to Assumption/Saint Paul Parish, Mechanicville, New York (1997-2005), and in 2005 he was assigned to Saint Augustine Parish, Troy, New York (2005-2010). During these years (1997-2010), he helped at Saint Joseph Parish, New Windsor, New York, and Saint John Parish, Goshen, New York, and spent time visiting local nursing homes and hospitals. In July of 2010 Fr. Getz returned to St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery.
Fr. Joe continued to serve in parish ministry, even as he grew older. He said that it was his “ardent desire to save souls, to teach the young and to care for the elderly.” He was a man of prayer and an example of commitment and dedication to Augustinian values. After a time of illness, Fr. Joe passed away October 21, 2022 at the St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery.
Funeral arrangements for
Fr. Joseph J. Getz, O.S.A. are as follows:
Viewing and Funeral Mass:
Monday, October 31, 2022
St. Thomas of Villanova Church
Villanova University Campus
800 E. Lancaster Ave. Villanova, PA
9:00 -10:30 AM (Viewing)
10:30 AM (Mass)
Burial:
Following the Funeral Mass
Monday, October 31, 2022
Calvary Cemetery
West Conshohocken, PA
