Rev. Francis X. Gaeta

Deceased: 2024-03-03

Diocese: ROCKVILLE CENTRE

ICTE Spring: 1989

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Msgr. Francis X. Gaeta, a former pastor of Roman Catholic parishes in Westbury and Rocky Point, passed away at the age of 86 after a prolonged illness, according to church officials. Having led St. Anthony of Padua parish in Rocky Point during the 1980s and St. Brigid parish in Westbury throughout the 1990s, Gaeta had been absent from ministry activities since 2011, with details of his illness and reasons for his departure not disclosed by Sean Dolan, spokesperson for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Gaeta’s name appeared on a list of clergy accused of sexual abuse released by the diocese in 2021 amidst its bankruptcy proceedings, bringing a shadow over his decades of service.