Worcester—Father Donald Bryden Gothing, 71, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on October 19, 2009, after a heroic battle with lung cancer and heart disease. He is the son of the late Paul and Lillian Rose (Bryden) Gothing. Father Gothing is survived by his devoted brother, Gilbert Adrian Gothing and 6 nieces and nephews; Gilbert M. Gothing of Hubbardston; Cheryl A. O’Connell and Kristine M. Gavin both of Lancaster; Steven P. Gothing of Worcester; Jon A. Gothing of Jamaica Plain; and Andrea Gothing Khamis of Edina, MN. Father Gothing was born on August 18, 1938, in Boylston, Massachusetts. He graduated from St. John’s High School, Shrewsbury, MA and Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, MD. He attended the St. Phillip Neri School of Boston and completed his studies for the priesthood at St. Paul’s Seminary, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Father Gothing was ordained on May 27, 1965, in St. Paul’s Cathedral by the late Bishop Flanagan. His first assignment was as a curate at Our Lady of Fatima parish in Worcester. In September, 1967, he was named associate pastor of St. Bernard’s parish in Fitchburg. In July, 1973, he was reassigned to St. Andrew the Apostle parish, Worcester. Father Gothing served as an associate pastor at St. Paul Cathedral parish and Our Lady of the Rosary parish, Worcester. From September 1986 to September 1987, he served in the Dioceses of Barcelona Venezuela.
Father Gothing’s most loved ministry began on September 11, 1987 when he was appointed to the pastoral ministry in the Spanish Apostolate of the dioceses for the Gardner and Leominster area. He retired from the ministry with the Spanish community of July 1, 2009, at the Holy Trinity Evangelization Center in Leominster, MA.
Father Gothing will be missed by his parishioners and his family. He will be remembered for his provocative thought and devotion to his Spanish family. He was affectionately known as “Padre”.
Calling hours will be held Wednesday, Oct. 21 and Thursday, Oct. 22: Wednesday, 5-8 p.m. at Holy Trinity Evangelization Center, 69 Lincoln Terrace, Leominster; Thursday, 4-7 p.m. at St. Mary of the Hills, 630 Cross St., Boylston. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, Oct. 23 at St. Mary of the Hills. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Boylston. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Holy Trinity Spanish Mission would be greatly appreciated. Please send to Holy Trinity Evangelization Center, 69 Lincoln Terrace, Leominster, MA 01453. Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, Worcester is directing arrangements.
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