Monsignor Francis P. Gorman, a Roman Catholic priest for more than 65 years in the Archdiocese of New York, entered into eternal life peacefully on December 30, 2025.
Monsignor Gorman was born in Manhattan on January 13, 1934, and grew up in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx. He was predeceased by his parents, Mary (O’Neill) and James Gorman, and his brothers, James Gorman and Vincent Gorman. He is survived by his brother Robert and wife Eileen. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Patricia Gorman and Mary Ann Gorman, eight nieces and nephews, twenty-three grand nieces and nephews, and the numerous cousins that are part of his large extended family.
Monsignor Gorman began his training for the priesthood at Cathedral Seminary in Manhattan and continued at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie, NY. He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on May 31, 1959. Following ordination, Monsignor studied Spanish at the Catholic University of Puerto Rico to prepare to meet the needs of the changing Catholic population of the Archdiocese of New York
He began his ministry at St Rose of Lima Parish in Manhattan where he served for 10 years, and where he was able to use his fluency in Spanish. In 1969 he volunteered to go to Caracas, Venezuela, where the Archdiocese had founded a parish. There he lived in public housing, taught religious education, and did census work in addition to performing his priestly duties. He returned to New York in 1972. After briefly serving in St. Teresa’s Church in Sleepy Hollow, NY, he went to work for the newly formed Office of Hispanic Pastoral Affairs as Vice Chancellor and as temporary Director of the Office of the Apostolate for the Spanish Speaking. During his time there, he worked on bringing in Spanish speaking priests from other countries and developing a program in Spanish for candidates to the Diaconate. He was also responsible for a program that ministered to the migrant worker community in Orange County, NY.
In 1977, he asked Cardinal Cooke to allow him to work more closely with migrant workers. He became the Pastor of St. Columba’s Church in Chester, NY, a short distance from the black dirt area of the migrants. During his 13 years at St. Columba’s, he ministered to the growing Catholic population brought to the area by new housing developments while his care for the immigrant poor became an important part of his life. In 1980, he became the pastor of St. Teresa’s Church in Sleepy Hollow and served the growing Hispanic population there until his retirement in 2009 when he moved to the Cardinal O’Connor Residence in Riverdale, NY.
Monsignor Gorman’s priestly ministry was a life of special dedication to the poor, to those who suffer on the margins of society, to the addicted, and to the voiceless. His peaceful protests on behalf of the unborn caused him to be arrested and incarcerated. His concern was always for the unprotected.
“Father Frank” was at the center of his family. He was the chaplain of the Gorman/O’Neill clan, always dignifying family gatherings with prayer and, often, home Masses. In his retirement years, he became an accomplished artist and enjoyed sharing his paintings with his family and friends. He was an occasional poet and a lover of the arts, especially opera. A proud Irish-American, he traveled to Ireland often, visiting his cousins, enjoying the culture of Ireland, and experiencing its spirituality.
May all who knew Frank and were touched by the light of his presence in their lives, remember him in the prayer of St. John Henry Newman:
Dear Lord … shine through me, and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Your presence in my soul … let me thus praise You in the way You love best, by shining on those around me.
Reposing Friday, January 9th, from 9-11 am at the St. John Vianney Clergy Residence Chapel, 5655 Arlington Ave, Bronx, NY and from 3-6 pm at St. Teresa of Avila Church, 130 Beekman Ave, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Teresa of Avila Church at 10 am on Saturday, January 10th. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY.
Msgr. Francis P. Gorman Funeral Mass
Time: Jan 10, 2026 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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