Hurricane Irene slammed into Saugerties on Sunday August 28 with high winds and flooding rains that changed the landscape forever. Trees that have grown for years are now gone, bridges washed away, homes damaged. It wasn’t anything near Katrina, but for the lives it touched it was bad enough.
August 24 was a day that forever changed the landscape of many of our lives when Saugerties own Father Francis Gunn left this world. He was a dear friend, brother, uncle, pastor, counselor, teacher and much much more. He was affectionately known at “Frannie” by all who knew him. No one will ever know the number of lives that were blessed and touched by Father Frannie. It truly was a blessing just to know him.
He had an inner strength and peace that was always there when needed. Fran married us, baptized our children, and buried our dead. When something went wrong in our lives, he was the first person we’d call. But also when there was a party being planned he was the first one there with his guitar in hand.
Fran loved music and was an accomplished guitar player and singer. He loved traveling, golf and so much more.
For the past twenty years or so on New Year’s Eve we have had a wonderful tradition, Fran would celebrate Mass in our living room and then we would eat, drink and dance to celebrate the new year. Fran often took over the DJing for the night. It was always one of the most special nights of the year for me. During the Mass, Fran would always take the time to remember all of the loved ones no longer with us.
The landscape of my life and those of his friends and family is changed Forever.
We were blessed to have known him for his time on Earth. The Lord took a very dear friend.
Hurricane Irene slammed into Saugerties on Sunday August 28 with high winds and flooding rains that changed the landscape forever. Trees that have grown for years are now gone, bridges washed away, homes damaged. It wasn’t anything near Katrina, but for the lives it touched it was bad enough.
August 24 was a day that forever changed the landscape of many of our lives when Saugerties own Father Francis Gunn left this world. He was a dear friend, brother, uncle, pastor, counselor, teacher and much much more. He was affectionately known at “Frannie” by all who knew him. No one will ever know the number of lives that were blessed and touched by Father Frannie. It truly was a blessing just to know him.
He had an inner strength and peace that was always there when needed. Fran married us, baptized our children, and buried our dead. When something went wrong in our lives, he was the first person we’d call. But also when there was a party being planned he was the first one there with his guitar in hand.
Fran loved music and was an accomplished guitar player and singer. He loved traveling, golf and so much more.
For the past twenty years or so on New Year’s Eve we have had a wonderful tradition, Fran would celebrate Mass in our living room and then we would eat, drink and dance to celebrate the new year. Fran often took over the DJing for the night. It was always one of the most special nights of the year for me. During the Mass, Fran would always take the time to remember all of the loved ones no longer with us.
The landscape of my life and those of his friends and family is changed Forever.
We were blessed to have known him for his time on Earth. The Lord took a very dear friend.
