Obituary for Andrew R. Gallia
Reverend Andrew R. Gallia, Pastor Emeritus of St. Mary’s Assumption, Jessup, died on Thursday December 10, 2020 at the Allied Hospice Center.
Father Gallia, son of the late Andrew P. and Jennie (Regni) Gallia, was born in Old Forge on May 21, 1935. Father graduated from Old Forge High School, Class of 1952. He attended the University of Scranton where he earned a B.S. in Education in 1956. He served as a teacher in the Morris Plains School District in New Jersey from 1956-1957.
Father Gallia entered the St. Jerome Minor Seminary in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada in 1958.
He then entered the seminary and completed his studies for the priesthood at St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, MD. Father Gallia was ordained to the priesthood on June 16, 1962 by Most Reverend Jerome D. Hannan, D.D., late Bishop of Scranton, in St. Peter’s Cathedral on June 16, 1962.
Father Gallia served as an assistant pastor at St. Ann’s, Tobyhanna; St. Lucy’s, Scranton; Our Lady of Sorrows, West Wyoming; St. John the Evangelist, Scranton; and, St. Anthony of Padua, Dunmore.
Father Gallia received his first pastorate at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Carbondale in 1979. Father was appointed pastor at St. Mary’s Assumption, Jessup in 1989 where he served for eighteen years until his retirement and appointment as Pastor Emeritus in 2007.
In addition to his pastoral appointments, Father taught religion to all grade levels at parish schools for seventeen years, from 1962 to 1979. He served the Diocese as Ordinary Confessor to the Novitiate and Sisters at Marywood College and the Novitiate at Misericordia University. He enjoyed giving counsel to the Novitiate and Postulant.
Father Gallia celebrated the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination with a Pontifical Mass Celebrated by Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L. in 2012.
Father is survived by a sister, Mary Avvisato and her husband Dominick, Old Forge; his wonderful, dedicated and faithful niece and caregiver Maria A. Panunti and her husband Mario; his caring and thoughtful niece Donna Avvisato; other nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Joseph, nephew Andrew, and great-niece Jillian M. Panunti.
A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, on Wednesday December 16 at 10 a.m. in Prince of Peace Parish (St. Mary’s Church) Old Forge, 123 W. Grace St. Old Forge. Interment to follow in Cathedral Cemetery Mausoleum. Friends and family may pay their respects Wednesday from 9 am until Mass time in the church. CDC social distancing guidelines will be enforced and face masks will be required.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Arthur A. Albini Funeral Home, 1003 Church St. Jessup.
Father Gallia, son of the late Andrew P. and Jennie (Regni) Gallia, was born in Old Forge on May 21, 1935. Father graduated from Old Forge High School, Class of 1952. He attended the University of Scranton where he earned a B.S. in Education in 1956. He served as a teacher in the Morris Plains School District in New Jersey from 1956-1957.
Father Gallia entered the St. Jerome Minor Seminary in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada in 1958.
He then entered the seminary and completed his studies for the priesthood at St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, MD. Father Gallia was ordained to the priesthood on June 16, 1962 by Most Reverend Jerome D. Hannan, D.D., late Bishop of Scranton, in St. Peter’s Cathedral on June 16, 1962.
Father Gallia served as an assistant pastor at St. Ann’s, Tobyhanna; St. Lucy’s, Scranton; Our Lady of Sorrows, West Wyoming; St. John the Evangelist, Scranton; and, St. Anthony of Padua, Dunmore.
Father Gallia received his first pastorate at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Carbondale in 1979. Father was appointed pastor at St. Mary’s Assumption, Jessup in 1989 where he served for eighteen years until his retirement and appointment as Pastor Emeritus in 2007.
In addition to his pastoral appointments, Father taught religion to all grade levels at parish schools for seventeen years, from 1962 to 1979. He served the Diocese as Ordinary Confessor to the Novitiate and Sisters at Marywood College and the Novitiate at Misericordia University. He enjoyed giving counsel to the Novitiate and Postulant.
Father Gallia celebrated the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination with a Pontifical Mass Celebrated by Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L. in 2012.
Father is survived by a sister, Mary Avvisato and her husband Dominick, Old Forge; his wonderful, dedicated and faithful niece and caregiver Maria A. Panunti and her husband Mario; his caring and thoughtful niece Donna Avvisato; other nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Joseph, nephew Andrew, and great-niece Jillian M. Panunti.
A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, on Wednesday December 16 at 10 a.m. in Prince of Peace Parish (St. Mary’s Church) Old Forge, 123 W. Grace St. Old Forge. Interment to follow in Cathedral Cemetery Mausoleum. Friends and family may pay their respects Wednesday from 9 am until Mass time in the church. CDC social distancing guidelines will be enforced and face masks will be required.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Arthur A. Albini Funeral Home, 1003 Church St. Jessup.