November 5, 2020

Father Geoffrey Deeker, senior priest of Pittsfield, dies at 86

REGIONAL

PITTSFIELD —  Stigmatine Father Geoffrey John Deeker, 86, in residence at St. Joseph Church, Pittsfield, died on Nov. 2 in Dalton. He was a member of the Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers for 66 years, and in his 61st year of priesthood.

He was born on June 26, 1933 in Somerville, Mass., the only child to the late Geoffrey A. and Margaret M. (Coughlan) Deeker. After attending Boston College High School he entered the Stigmatine community in Waltham, Mass., on Sept. 14, 1948 and professed his first vows on June 22, 1954. His made his perpetual profession on June 22, 1959.

After completing his theological studies at The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., he was ordained on June 4, 1960 at St. Peter Church in Cambridge, Mass., by Bishop Thomas Riley, auxiliary bishop of Boston.

He served as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Pittsfield; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Springfield; and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Waltham. From 1962-1964, he was chaplain of the Berkshire Council of the Boy Scouts of America. from 1964-1966, he was stationed in Wellesley, Mass., and Springfield while serving as vocations director for the Stigmatines. He also served as chaplain for the Civil Air Patrol, Framingham, Mass., during that time.

He served as associate pastor at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Springfield from 1966-1978. From 1976-1978, he also served as special assistant for liturgies at St. Michael’s Cathedral, Springfield, and was chaplain for the Civil Air Patrol, West Springfield Squadron.

From 1978-1987, he was associate pastor at Sacred Heart Parish, Waltham, and director of the Stigmatine House of Studies in Watertown, Mass., as well as vocation director, provincial councilor, and compiler/editor of The Stigmatine Ritual.

From 1987-2008, he was pastor of the former Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Pittsfield, which included the former All Souls Mission in Pittsfield. During that time, he also was provincial councilor, vicar provincial, and vocation director for the Stigmatines; a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and other advisory committees of the Springfield Diocese, as well as chaplain for the Pittsfield chapter of UNICO International.

In 2008, Springfield Bishop Timothy McDonnell named Father Deeker the senior priest in service to the Catholic community of Pittsfield, with residence at St. Joseph Rectory.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Nov. 9 at St. Joseph Church, 414 North St., Pittsfield, at 11 a.m. A period of visitation will be held in the church on Sunday, Nov. 8 from 2-4 p.m. and on Monday morning, Nov. 9, from 9:30-11 a.m. Committal will take place that afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in Sacred Heart Cemetery, 109 Medway Rd., Milford, Mass.

Donations in Father Deeker’s memory may be sent to the Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers, 123 William St., Springfield, MA 01105.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 health protocols, all who plan to attend the wake and liturgy are required to wear masks and maintain safe distancing. Bringing hand sanitizer is recommended.