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Death in our diocesan family: The Rev. Oscar Gonzalez

The Rev. Oscar Gonzalez

With sadness we share the news of the passing of the Rev. Oscar Gonzalez, age 86, on Thursday, October 29, 2015. His funeral will be held Monday, November 2, 11 AM at Grace Church in Union City. A wake will be held Sunday, November 1, 5-9 PM at Morgado Funeral Home, 525 45th Street in Union City.

Born in Cuba on March 2, 1929, Oscar was ordained to the priesthood in 1956 in the Episcopal Church of Cuba, where he served congregations in Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo, followed by a staff position with the Episcopal Church of Cuba. He then held a staff position in the Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church with the Cathedral in Madrid, Spain before transferring to the Diocese of Newark in 1970.

Oscar served as Rector of Grace Church in Union City for 24 years, until his retirement in 1994. He later served as Priest-in-Residence at Calvary Church in Bayonne (2000-2010 and 2014-2015). He also served on the diocesan Commission on Hispanic/Latino Ministry as well as the National Commission on Hispanic Ministries of The Episcopal Church.

His survivors include his wife of 59 years, Lilliam, and their daughter, son and grandchildren. He is predeceased by his older brother, the Rt. Rev. José A. Gonzalez, who served as Bishop of Cuba (1967-1982) and assisting bishop in the Diocese of Newark (1982-1989).

Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Lilliam Gonzalez, 5711 Jefferson Street, Unit 214, West New York, NJ 07093.

Good and gracious God, the light of the faithful and shepherd of souls, you sent your servant Oscar to be a priest in your Church to feed your sheep with your word and to guide them by his example; give us the grace to keep the faith he taught and to follow in his footsteps. We entrust him into your unfailing mystery of Love and Hope through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.