Br. Gerald (“Gerry”) Seipp, OFM Conv., 80, a Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province, died peacefully on Monday, March 11, 2024, in Granby, Conn.

Born in Baltimore on Apr. 11, 1943, he was the younger son of Joseph and Anna Mary (nee Rezed) Seipp. After spending some time at Patterson High School, he withdrew to care for his ailing mother. After nine years working as manager of the Record Department at Two Guys’ Department Store on Belair Rd., Br. Gerry entered the Novitiate of the Conventual Franciscans in Ellicott City, Md., in 1973.

Br. Gerry made his first profession of vows on Aug. 15, 1974. He professed solemn vows on Aug. 15, 1977. Perhaps most remembered for his simplicity and love of trains, Br. Gerry gave more than 50 years of witness to the vocation of the religious brother in the Church.

Between 1977 and 1982, Br. Gerry ministered with the Militia of the Immaculate, based in Granby, Mass. His work there caught the attention of the minister general, who requested Br. Gerry be sent to Rome to assist with the Marian Apostolate of the Order. Instead, he moved to Boswell, Penn., where he served as a pastoral minister, laying some of the early groundwork for religious brothers’ involvement in parish life.

Between 1983 and 1996, Br. Gerry was assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary in Baltimore. He again assisted in a parochial setting in Trenton from 1996 to 2000, before beginning a 16-year presence at the Shrine of Saint Anthony in Ellicott City. In 2016, Br. Gerry moved to Rensselaer N.Y. In 2019, he was assigned to Chicopee, Mass. With declining health, Br. Gerry moved to his final assignment at Our Lady of Angels Care Center in Enfield, Conn.

Visitation hours will be held Friday, March 15 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Our Lady of the Angels Care Center (1315 Enfield St., Enfield Conn.), with a Franciscan Wake Service at 4 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, March 18, at 2:00 p.m., at the Shrine of Saint Anthony (12290 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City Md.), followed by burial in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Baltimore. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Franciscan Education Fund (12300 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City MD 21042).