Rev. Msgr. David M. Gallivan
Deceased: 2025-01-09
Diocese: BUFFALO
ICTE Fall: 1989
Msgr. David M. Gallivan, who ministered almost exclusively with the Hispanic and Latino community, died Jan. 9, 2025.
The son of Raymond and Catherine Herlihy Gallivan was born Dec. 15, 1941. He attended St. James School and the Diocesan Preparatory Seminary both in Buffalo, before entering St. John Vianney Seminary in East Aurora. He would go on to study at Catholic University in Puerto Rico; Catholic University in Lima, Peru; and North American College in Vatican City.
He was ordained by Bishop James McNulty at St. John the Evangelist in Buffalo, on Sept. 15, 1966.
He began serving in the migrant community through the Hispanic Apostolate in the summer of 1967. He then moved to Lima to serve as parochial vicar at a Buffalo-sponsored mission for seven years. After returning to Buffalo, Msgr. Gallivan served as parochial vicar of Holy Cross Parish in Buffalo with a predominantly Spanish-speaking congregation. He began his first term as director of the Hispanic Apostolate in September of 1979, while also serving as administrator of St. Brigid Parish in Buffalo.
In 1984, he was named executive director secretariat for Latin America for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, serving in Washington, D.C.
In June 1990, he became pastor of SS. Peter & Paul Parish in Williamsville.
In March 1999, he returned to the Hispanic Apostolate as director and Holy Cross as pastor where he served until 2006 and 2014, respectively.
Msgr. Gallivan served on the board of directors for Catholic Academy of West Buffalo, board of trustees for Catholic Charities of Buffalo, and various organizations on the national level for Hispanics and Latin Americans for USCCB.
Through his ministry he has met with Pope John Paul II, aided war torn El Salvador, and acted as interpreter to Fidel Castro.
He was honored for his work with a Moderator of the Year Award from the Diocesan Youth Department, a Msgr. John J. Conniff Certificate for his service through Catholic Charities, and even had a Msgr. Gallivan Day proclaimed in 2015.
Family will receive friends at the James W. Cannan Funeral Home, 3155 Orchard Park Road, Orchard Park, on Monday, Jan. 13 from 3-7 p.m. Msgr. Gallivan will lie in repose Tuesday morning, Jan. 14 from 9-10 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, 345 Seventh St., Buffalo, where a funeral Mass will immediately follow with Bishop Michael W. Fisher as the principal celebrant.
