Deceased: 2004-06-16
Diocese: DETROIT
CSM Graduation Year: 1986
GERALD SHIRILLA OBITUARY
Priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit, passed away on June 16, 2004 at the age of 66 in the City of Alpena. Reverend Shirilla was born in the City of Hamtramck on April 28, 1938 to Matthew and Josephine (Szelag) Shirilla who have predeceased him. Reverend Shirilla was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest on June 1, 1968 in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Subsequently, he was appointed to Resurrection Church in the City of Detroit in 1968; Faculty College Sacred Heart Seminary in 1970: Co-Pastor at Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Chuch in Detroit in 1974; Pastor Scared Heart Church in Roseville in 1979; Vicar at SERF Vicariate in 1982; Director of the Department of Worship in 1983; and Pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Alpena in 2002. Reverend Shirilla graduated from High School at St. Ladislaus in Detroit and received a degree in Philosophy from Sacred Heart Seminary and a degree in Theology at St. Johns University. Reverend Shirilla also received an A.B. in Philosophy, a B.S. degree from Wayne State University and M.A. degree in Theology (Liturgy) in 1973 from the University of Notre Dame and Doctorate in Liturgy at St. Anselmo in Rome, Italy in 1983. Reverend Shirilla also did graduate studies at Pontifical Antheneum of St. Anselmo in Rome at the request of Pope John Paul II. Reverend Shirilla had a love of music that was unparalleled and who was a lover of the arts. He was and still is an inspiration to the people of St. Mary’s Parish, especially as it relates to their choir. One of the many highlights of Reverend Shirilla’s career was when Pope John Paul II requested Reverend Shirilla to organize and chair his Mass at the Pontiac Silverdome in 1987. He will be deeply missed by all the lives he touched. Visitation will be Saturday from 2-8 p.m. at the Bannan Funeral Home, 222 S. Second Avenue, Alpena, with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. On Sunday visitation will continue at St. Mary Catholic Church in Alpena from 1 p.m. until the time of the funeral Mass at 2 p.m. with Bishop Patick Cooney officiating. Graveside services will be held Monday, June 21 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit.
