Rev. Gary J. Bagley, pastor of St. Benedict's Parish

Rev. Bagley

Rev. Gary J. Bagley, 59, former director of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo's youth department and pastor of St. Benedict parish, died Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006, in Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.

Born in Buffalo, Father Bagley graduated from Diocesan Preparatory Seminary in Buffalo. He earned a bachelor's and master's degree in divinity from St. John Vianney Seminary in East Aurora. He also attended Fordham University and the Catechetical and Pastoral Institute in New Orleans.

Father Bagley was ordained May 27, 1972 at St. John the Baptist Church in Kenmore. His first assignments were as chaplain of St. Vincent de Paul camp in 1972 and assistant at St. Christopher Church in Tonawanda from 1972 to 1976.

Father Bagley worked at Bishop Turner High School in 1976 and was chaplain in various years at Franciscan Missionary Sisters (1979-2001), Immaculata Academy (1999-2000) and Sacred Heart Academy (1977-2006).

He was also Diocesan Coordinator of Youth Retreats (1986-2001), associate director of the Diocesan Youth Department (1976-86) and director of the Diocesan Youth Department (1986-2001).

"For the past 25 years, I have been a strong believer that young people are an important part of a parish and the parish has a strong responsibility to the young people," said Father Bagley upon his retirement from the Diocesan Youth Department.

Since 2001, he has served as pastor at St. Benedict Church.

Father Bagley also served on a number of Catholic task forces and committees at the state and diocesan level. They included teenage pregnancy (1982) and sex education (1985) at the state level and teenage pregnancy (1983) and pastoral care for homosexual persons (1987-88) at the diocesan level.

Father Bagley was president and on the board of directors at Hopevale Inc., a family services agency in Hamburg, since 2003 and served on its board of directors since 1989.

He also served on the board of directors at Our Lady of Victory Infant Home (1980 to 1986) and a board member of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (1998 to 2001).

He also was a columnist for the Western New York Catholic Magazine and for national publications, a former chaplain and active member of Elliott Creek Volunteer Fire Co. (1973-76) and a honorary member of the Eggertsville Hose Co. (2005-2006).

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Father Bagley," said Bishop Edward U. Kmiec. "He was dedicated to the priesthood and deeply committed to his ministry. My prayers go out to his family, the faith community of St. Benedict's, his home parish of St. John the Baptist and the other parishes where he served. Father Bagley had a tremendous impact on many young lives during his 25 years in the diocesan youth department. His legacy lives on through them, many of whom have become leaders in our diocese today. May God grant him eternal rest."

Father Bagley is survived by his parents, Howard H. and Beatrice E.; two brothers, Thomas E. and James H.; and a sister, Mary M.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, Nov. 18 at St. Benedict Church.