________OBITUARY________

When a priest dies, a staff member of The Evangelist pulls his file in order to find some photos and read his resume to put together his obituary. For most priests, the file contains a picture or two and a listing of his appointments to parishes, the summation of a worthy life dedicated to the Church in the Albany Diocese.

For some priests, however, there is much more inside the file. One of those priests died June 21: Msgr. Edward Glavin, 84, whose life touched not only a parish or two or this Diocese but indeed the world. Bishop Howard J. Hubbard will offer a funeral Mass for Msgr. Glavin on June 27, 11 a.m., at St. Mary's Church in Amsterdam. He is survived by a sister, Anne McGuirk of Albany.

A native of Albany who was a member of a family long connected to diocesan service, Father Glavin was ordained in 1935 in Rome, Italy, by Cardinal Francesco Marchetti-Salveggiani. He was then assigned as an assistant to St. Francis de Sales, Troy, while on the faculty of Catholic High School and its vice principal. Father Glavin held doctorates in philosophy, sacred theology and canon law.

During World War II, Father Glavin served as an infantry chaplain, achieving the rank of major while serving with a unit that came to be known as Merrill's Marauders in China, Burma and India. He continued in contact with the soldiers after the war as chaplain of the Merrill's Marauders Association and of the China-Burma-India Veterans Association.

When the war ended, he returned to Rome for additional studies and was named superior of the Graduate House of Studies at the North American College. He later became editor of the NAC's alumni association magazine. In 1994, in recognition of his service to the institution, he was named as only the fifth person to be awarded the Founders' Medal from the college.

Returning to the Albany Diocese in 1949, Father Glavin was appointed chaplain of the College of Saint Rose in Albany, secretary of the diocesan Tribunal, and administrator and pastor of St. Mary's parish in Amsterdam. He was also principal of St. Mary's Institute.

For the Diocese, he served as vicar for religious, as a diocesan consultor and as a synodal judge. For the Amsterdam community, he served as a trustee and chairman of the trustees of Fulton-Montgomery Community College, and director of the Fulmont Development Facility, Inc.

In 1985, on the occasion of his golden jubilee of ordination, Father Glavin was named a monsignor by Pope John Paul II. Ten years later, he was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Amsterdam YMCA.

In a 1992 interview with The Evangelist on the occasion of his 80th birthday, Msgr. Glavin spoke about his experiences with characteristic humility. Asked about his wartime chaplaincy, for example, he responded: "I never talked about the war. It's impossible to picture unless you were there. I was concerned for soldiers of every faith. I would conduct Mass when there was the opportunity. It was rough physical service. My experiences were so bizarre and varied that I never talk about them."

As for his time at St. Mary's in Amsterdam, Msgr Glavin was more open, saying: "I have had 33 years of good relations with so many people, both in Church and community activities. There has been great lay leadership in the parish all through the years. Religious education has been a priority. The parish is vibrant; our people are very generous."

Asked about his priesthood, he answered: "God has been right in the middle of it. The Lord has been very kind to me through the years, and I am sure Our Lady has used her influence. And my guardian angel has worked overtime. My priesthood has been a very happy service. I have had a variety of experiences and wonderful people to work with."

On the occasion of his 60th anniversary of ordination, Msgr. Glavin wrote this in a commemorative booklet: "There are no words to express my thanks for the privilege of being [St. Mary's] pastor."

Likewise, there are no words -- from students in Troy, from soldiers in Burma, from seminarians in Rome, from parishioners in Amsterdam, from women religious in the Diocese -- to express fully their appreciation for Msgr. Glavin's commitment, sacrifice, knowledge, spirituality and example.

(07-03-97)

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