BROTHER CHARLES SPREITZER, O.S.F.

Charles Spreitzer, son of Matthew and Mary Delaney Spreitzer, was born in Ely,Minnesota on February 20,1931.

When he was ten years old, his family moved to California where he attended the local parish elementary school. Shortly after graduating from Mt. Carmel High School, Los Angeles in 1949, Charles entered the Franciscan Brothers on February 11, 1950.

He received the Franciscan habit and the Religious name “Gilbert” on August 2, 1950 andmade his profession of vows two years later on July 26, 1952.

Brother Gilbert began his ministry as an elementary school teacher at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Brooklyn (1952-1956), then St. Mary Star of the Sea, Brooklyn (1956-1958), St. Brigid, Ridgewood (1958-1960) and St. Bartholomew, Elmhurst (1960-1961). He continued his ministry at the secondary level first at St. Leonard’s High School(1961-1962) followed by St. Anthony’s Smithtown (1962-1964) and Bishop Ford, Park Slope(1964-1976). He changed his name back to his baptismal name Charles in 1969.

Beginning in the summer of 1976 he assisted in the formation of a group of Brothers forthe Diocese of Gallup, New Mexico.

In 1977 Brother Charles returned to St. Anthony’s High School until 1992 when he again joined the faculty of Bishop Ford until his retirement in 1999.

Ill health necessitated his moving to, and being cared for, at the Bishop Mugavero Center inBrooklyn in 2003.

Brother Charles died peacefully in Long Island College Hospital on March 24, 2009.