Brother Gerard J. Klaric, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died Monday, August 4. He was born in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 2, 1912, a son of the late Joseph and Anna Klaric. He is survived by three sisters, Anne Byrne of Apollo, Marie Klaric, also of Apollo, and Helen Barnett of Timmonium, Md.
He entered the novitiate of the Benedictine monastic community of Saint Vincent Archabbey on May 29, 1935. He made triennial vows on July 2, 1936, and perpetual vows on July 2, 1939.
In 1942 he was appointed to the Archabbey’s farm on Chestnut Ridge. His duties included overseeing the farm and the blacksmith shop, as well as fixing tractors, digging coal, logging, and cutting fence posts. He was active in sports, and enjoyed ice skating, hunting, and watching sporting events. In 1967 he was assigned to the Benedictine Priory in Savannah, Georgia, working in the maintenance department at the Priory and at Benedictine Military High School. He retired in 1986, but continued to work part time at the school and Priory for the next 15 years.
Following Brother Gerard’s retirement, Benedictine Military High School presented him with the Benedictine Gold Medal of Excellence for his valuable contributions to the Priory and School for over 25 years. He continued living and working at the Priory there until 2002, when he returned to the Archabbey. Memorial contributions can be made to the Benedictine Health and Welfare Fund, Saint Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, Pa., 15650-2690.
The body of Brother Gerard will be received at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5 in the Elizabeth J. Roderick Center, Saint Vincent Archabbey. Viewing will be held on Tuesday, August 5 from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. in the parlor of the Roderick Center. The body will be transferred to the Basilica for the vigil service at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6. Viewing will continue until 9 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Archabbey Basilica by Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B. at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 7, followed by the rite of committal in Saint Vincent Cemetery.
