Obituaries for September 2026
Let us pray for our dearly departed clergy whose Masses of Christian Burial were held in September.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
Father José Alexander Gaitán Montes, C.M.F.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held September 12 at Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church in San Salvador, El Salvador for Father José Alexander Gaitán Montes, C.M.F. He died on September 6 at the age of 51.
Father Gaitán was born on March 9, 1975, in Bogotá, Colombia. Before he moved to the United States and joined the Claretians, he completed his formal education in his home country, attending the Pontifical Urbanian University in Bogotá and earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He also studied finances and international business/technology at the Santiago of Cali University in Valle del Cauca.
After joining the Claretians, he continued his formation attending Catholic Theological Union in Chicago where he earned a Master of Divinity. At the same time, he earned a certificate in Hispanic ministry and theology, and a Master of Arts in research in spirituality/cross-cultural spirituality.
Father Gaitán was ordained a priest on Dec. 3, 2011, by Claretian Bishop Plácido Rodríguez at Holy Cross Church in Chicago.
Prior to his ordination, Father Gaitán served at the Claretian parish of St. Paul in Chicago, where he assisted with RCIA, first Communion and as a baptism catechist. He also led a bible study group at the parish. He later ministered to Holy Cross/Immaculate Heart of Mary, where he became the RCIA director. Following ordination, he became the associate pastor and spiritual director for lay Claretians at the parish.
Father Gaitán served for five years as associate pastor of Corpus Christi Church in Stone Mountain, in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. While there, he was also the director of Hispanic ministry, a spiritual director for lay Claretians and led bible studies at a trailer park community.
His next two assignments took him to California, where he served as associate pastor at San Gabriel Mission in San Gabriel, California and later at the Claretian parish of St. Anthony M. Claret Church in Fresno as pastor.
Father Gaitán then came to St. Joseph’s Parish in Jersey City. Shortly after his move, he became immigration ministry coordinator for the Archdiocese of Newark. He was also assigned as part of the order’s United Nations team and continued as the province’s SOMI Coordinator until his death.
He is survived by his father Luis Jorge Gaitán, his mother Ana Nelly Montes, his brother Mauricio Andres Gaitán and many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.
Deacon Richard McGarry
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on September 15 at the Church of St. Anne in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, for Deacon Richard McGarry. He died on September 11 at the age of 81.
Deacon McGarry was born in Blantyre, Scotland. He moved to Garfield at age 13 with his parents Edward and Elizabeth Cassidy McGarry.
McGarry met Doreen, in his words, “the love of my life, my friend, a woman of great joy and kindness,” in 1966 at a drum corps competition. They married in 1967 and had 53 years of married life together, raising two children. McGarry served in the U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1966 and became an American citizen in 1968.
He worked for Roche as a pharmaceutical sales manager for 25 years. Upon his retirement from Roche, he earned his bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Felician University, his master’s degree in religious studies, and his doctorate degree in religious studies & education from Fordham University. He was a professor at Felician from 2008 to 2021.
After becoming an Ordained Deacon in the Catholic Church, Deacon McGarry went on to serve as a Deacon for Most Holy Name Church in Garfield, and then as a Deacon for The Church of Saint Anne in Fair Lawn until 2023.
Deacon McGarry was predeceased by his loving wife Doreen. He leaves behind his daughter Christine McGarry Shore, his son Gene McGarry, as well as his grandchildren and great-granddaughter.
