John J. Hagen, O.S.A.

1930 – 2017 (December 18)

John Joseph Hagen was born on March 21, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one of five sons and three daughters of Lawrence Hagen and Marie V. Schilling. He was baptized on April 13, 1930 at Saint Edmond Church, Philadelphia, and attended Saint Monica Parochial School. Upon graduation, he entered LaSalle High School in 1945 and then, in 1948, enrolled as a postulant at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, where he completed his senior year. He was received into the Order on September 9, 1949 and following his year as a novice at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York, professed simple vows on September 10, 1950. He began college studies at Villanova College in 1950 and obtained a BA in Philosophy in 1954. That year he was sent to the Collegio Santa Monica, Rome, Italy, where he attended the Gregorian University and received an STL degree in 1958. He professed solemn vows in Rome on September 10, 1953, and was ordained to the priesthood at the Church of the Twelve Apostles on December 21, 1957, by the Papal Sacristan, Bishop Peter Canisius Van Lierde, O.S.A.

Father Hagen was assigned to Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, in 1958. There he taught English, Greek, Latin, Biology and Religion, and was Vice-Principal. He also completed studies for an MA in English at Fordham University in 1962. From 1963 to 1970, he was assigned to Saint Nicholas of Tolentine High School, Bronx, New York, where he taught English, and was Vice-Principal for three years. From 1969 to 1972 Father Hagen studied at New York University, obtaining a PhD in Medieval English. In 1970 he was assigned to Saint Thomas Monastery, Villanova, and served the community at various times as treasurer and as prior, while teaching English at the University. He also served the Province as a counselor to the Prior Provincial, Regent of Studies, and a member of the Board of Merrimack College. In 1990, he was elected Prior Provincial and served the Province until 1994. Though nominated for a second term, Father Hagen declined his candidacy, and returned to teaching at the University. 

Father Hagen had a great love for ministry in the field of education, and spent his free time enjoying opera, classical music and reading medieval history and world literature. He served in parochial ministry on weekends for many years, particularly at Visitation Parish, Trooper. He was known as a gentleman and devoted priest, and to his confreres as an invested member of the community.

Due to the limitations incurred from declining health, Father Hagen retired from teaching, but continued to live at Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery. There he passed away peacefully on the morning of December 18, 2017, at the age of 87. His Funeral Mass was celebrated by Prior Provincial Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A. on December 21, 2017, the 60th anniversary of Father Hagan’s ordination. Father Thomas Pohto, O.S.A., who was Provincial Secretary during Father Hagen’s provincialate, preached the homily. Burial took place the following day in the Augustinian Plot of Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.

Florentino Garcia Villar, O.S.A.

1908 – 1974 (December 7)

Florentino Garcia Villar, the son of Nicholas Garcia and Maria Villar, was born on June 10, 1908 in Santa Croya de Tera, (Zamora), Spain, and was professed on July 23, 1924 as a member of the Philippine Province of Spain. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 19, 1931 in the Philippine Islands.

Father Garcia spent almost 25 years in the Philippine Province's missions in China, 10 years in the mission in Iquitos, Peru, and seven years in the Philadelphia Vice Province. He spent two years in prison in China and was expelled from the country in 1955. He was appointed associate pastor at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Philadelphia, in Septmber, 1956, but was transferred three months later to Saint Mary’s Parish, East Vineland. The following April the Camden Diocese requested his help in ministering to Puerto Ricans in and around the East Vineland and Camden, New Jersey area. Together with Father Angelo Allegrini, Vice Provincial, Father Garcia opened the Augustinian endeavor in the inner-city Holy Name Parish in Camden. Father Florentino remained there and served under the pastorates of Fathers Vincent Altimare and Laurence Clark until his fatal illness. 

After a long illness and several operations, passed away on December 7, 1974, in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, NJ. His tireless work was greatly appreciated by all of the people he served and by the local diocesan clergy. This love was manifested by the overflowing attendance at the three services held for the repose of his soul. The Prior General, Father Theodore Tack, O.S.A., and Assistant General, Charles Pickar, O.S.A. concelebrated the funeral Mass at which Vice Provincial Joseph Toscani was principal celebrant and preached. The Ordinary of Camden, Bishop George Guilfoyle presided along with his Auxiliary, Bishop James Schad. Father Garcia was interred in Saint Mary's Parish Cemetery, in East Vineland on December 11, 1974 after committal ceremonies at which Father Vincent Altimare was celebrant.

Thomas P. Garrett, O.S.A.

1914 – 2008 (November 25)

Thomas Garrett was born in San Diego, California on November 5, 1914 to Nellie Walsh and Thomas Patrick Garrett. Two years later his sister Mary was born. The Garretts were active members of St. Vincent de Paul parish in the Mission Hills section of San Diego. Tom was educated at Florence and Grant Public Schools from 1919 to 1928. He then attended Saint Augustine High School, San Diego, where he was a good student and participated in the football, basketball, drama, and debating programs. In 1932 he graduated as the Valedictorian of his class. Three months after graduation, he entered the novitiate in New Hamburg, New York, and he professed his religious vows on September 11, 1933. He went on to Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, as well as graduate school at Augustinian College, Washington DC. He was ordained to the priesthood in San Diego by Bishop Charles Buddy on June 3, 1939.
 
Father Garrett served as a teacher at Saint Rita High School, Chicago from 1940 to 1944. From 1944 until his death, he was assigned to ministry in California. He was twice at Villanova Prep School in Ojai, from 1944 to 1951, and from 1959 to 1961. In 1951 he ministered at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in Los Angeles. Father Tom’s greatest love in ministry was found during his two assignments at St. Augustine High School in San Diego, from 1952 to 1959, and from 1961 until he went into limited service many years later.

Towards the end of his school ministry, Father Tom was also the Director of the Augustinian Guild in California. He soon transitioned from schoolteacher to full-time director. In this capacity he became known for being a spiritual director for many tours of Catholic pilgrimage sites throughout Europe, the profits from which supported the costs of education of candidates and the assistance to infirm Augustinians. Father’s spirituality, patience, and gentlemanly manner made him an ideal travel leader. 

Father Tom was a prayerful gentleman who never paused to listen to or participate in gossip. He seldom complained; even when confined to his room or wheelchair, he would write in his Christmas letters “thank God that I have been blessed with good health.” If he were stubborn, he was also stubborn in his faith — never flinching from what he knew to be truth. His strong belief in the pro-life movement often had him dividing up his meager allowance among a myriad of organizations dedicated to the right of the unborn.

He passed over to the Lord on November 25, 2008. A wake and Funeral Mass were held at St. Vincent de Paul Church, San Diego on Friday morning, November 28th, after which burial took place at Holy Cross Cemetery. 

Dennis J. Geaney, O.S.A.

1914 – 1992 (November 23)

Dennis Joseph Geaney was born August 2, 1914 in Boston, Massachusetts to Michael D. and Julia K. Geaney, and was baptized August 16, 1914 at Ss. Peter and Paul Church, South Boston. In 1931 he earned a diploma from the High School of Commerce, Boston, and was received into the novitiate on September 9, 1935. He professed simple vows on September 10, 1936 and solemn vows September 10, 1939. Following first profession of vows, he undertook collegiate studies at Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, earning a B. A. in 1939. He pursued theological studies from 1939 to 1943 at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., and at the same time, did graduate studies at the Catholic University of America, earning an M. A. in accounting in 1943. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1942.

Upon completion of studies in 1943, Father Geaney became a member of the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel. He was first assigned to teach at St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois and, in 1947 was transferred to St. Thomas High School, Rockford, Illinois. From 1959 to 1965, Father Geaney was assigned to the Augustinian Mission Band apostolate based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was assigned to St. Rita Parish, Chicago, as associate pastor in 1965, and was transferred to Augustinian Academy, St. Louis, Missouri, in 1968.

In 1969 he returned to Chicago, as a member of St. Rita Monastery and professor at Catholic Theological Union. When St. John Stone Friary was founded as the Province's center for its theology students, Father Geaney was named its first prior. Faced with increasing health problems, Father Geaney was assigned in 1979 to St. Clare of Montefalco Parish, Chicago. During this time he ministered at St. Victor Catholic Parish, Calumet City, Illinois. Father Geaney died November 23, 1992 from a disease of the circulatory system at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke Medical Center, Chicago. He was 78.

Father Geaney was vitally interested in the lay movement in the Catholic Church. His work with the laity, particularly in Chicago, will be long remembered. He untiringly promoted Christian social justice as found in the Gospel and the teachings of the Church. He published ten books and approximately 200 articles. His nationally syndicated columns appeared in many Catholic newspapers. He was a popular speaker, consultant and expert on American parochial life. He was a member of the Association of Chicago Priests from its inception. He was editor of Upturn, the Association's publication, until his death.

He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.

Joseph F. Gill, O.S.A.

1926 – 1995 (November 21)

Joseph Francis Gill, son of Joseph F. Gill and F. Maude F. Allen, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 9, 1926 and was baptized there on May 30, 1926, in the church of St. Joseph. His early education began in St. Joseph Grammar School, continued at Boston English High School, and, in 1943, he became a post-graduate postulant at Augustinian Academy on Staten Island, New York. He was received into the novitiate on September 8, 1945, professed simple vows on September 10, 1946 and solemn vows on that date in 1949. In 1950, Joseph graduated from Villanova College with a B.A. in philosophy. He studied theology at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., and in 1954, obtained a MA degree in education from the Catholic University of America. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 6, 1953 by Bishop McNamara, in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington.

In 1954, Father Gill received his first assignment to Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish, Staten Island, New York, and, during that year he taught religion at Augustinian Academy. In 1955, he joined the Monsignor Bonner High School community in Drexel Hill, Pa. During his twelve years in secondary education, he taught religion, served as chairman of the Religion Department, was vice-rector and assistant librarian. In 1967, Father Gill began ministry in the parishes of Massachusetts. He was well remembered for his services to the people of St. Augustine Parish, Andover, St. Augustine and St. Mary and Assumption Parishes in Lawrence. In the last of these, he spent nine years as director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, and in 1972, was appointed prior and treasurer of that community. In 1982, Father Gill returned to St. Augustine Parish, Lawrence and remained there until 1990. When his health began to fail, he was transferred to the Health Care Unit of Our Mother of Good Counsel Monastery, Merrimack College, N. Andover.  In 1994, when the health care services were discontinued, Father Gill moved to Saint Thomas Monastery, Villanova, Pa. He died at the Bryn Mawr Hospital on November 21, 1995.

Father Gill was a compassionate confessor, a generous associate who entertained with cheerfulness, a man of quick wit and skillful story-teller. Although illness and loss of eyesight caused him stress, he never ceased to influence the lives of others by his spontaneous quips and willingness to serve.

Vicar Provincial, Arthur Johnson, O.S.A. celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Augustine Church, Lawrence, on November 27, 1995, with Father Neil McGettigan, O.S.A. as homilist. Interment followed in the Augustinian section of Saint Mary Cemetery, Lawrence, Massachusetts.