Father Gerard Messier, A.A., 93, died Saturday, October 25, 2025. He served Assumption as French professor at both Assumption Prep School and at Assumption College (1959-1970). Reflecting on Fr. Gerard’s life, Fr. Dennis Gallagher, A.A., Assumption Vice President for Mission, recalled Fr. Gerard’s love for the arts where he directed theater productions from Shakespeare to Claudel and Becket.
After his time at Assumption, he moved to New York City, where he served as chaplain in various hospitals and nursing homes in addition to assisting at St. Vincent de Paul parish and Holy Family parish. Parishioners remember him as an excellent homilist and avid bicyclist. He retired in 2019 and returned to Worcester where he would be visited by his family, former colleagues and students, who shared his love of Mozart, poetry, opera, the ocean, wine, Thoreau.
Those who knew him will remember his gentle humor, his thoughtful presence, and the quiet strength of his spirit — a legacy of love and faith that will continue to touch all who were fortunate enough to know him. May the warmth of his hugs, the kindness of his heart, and the light of his faith continue to inspire all who were blessed to know Fr. Gerard.
His funeral will be held on Thursday, October 30, at 10:00 AM in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, 500 Salisbury Street, with the Very Reverend Chi Ai Nguyen, A.A., Provincial Superior of the North American Province as the main celebrant. Burial will be in Saint Anne’s Cemetery, Fiskdale. Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 AM Thursday in the church before the Mass.
Donations in his name may be made to the Assumptionist Vocation Fund, 330 Market Street, Brighton, MA 02135-2100.
Fr. Gerard’s full obituary is available here.
