Fr. Nenad Josip Galić

(1941 – 2025)

Strengthened by the Holy Sacraments, Fr. Nenad Josip Galić, a member of our Croatian Franciscan Custody of the Holy Family, passed away on May 18, 2025, at the age of 85, at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago,

Fr. Nenad was born on January 27, 1941, in Ljubotići, parish of Kočerin, in Herzegovina. He completed his elementary education in his hometown and high school studies in Široki Brijeg and with the Dominicans in Bol on the island of Brač. He entered the Franciscan Order in 1959. He studied philosophy and theology in Sarajevo (Franciscan Theology) and in Rome (Antonianum). He was ordained a priest on July 10, 1966, in Sarajevo. He arrived in the United States the following year, on March 16, 1967. After spending several months studying English in Washington, D.C., he was assigned in 1967 as an associate pastor at the Slovenian parish of Our Lady in Waukegan, IL.

Over the following years, he served as associate pastor at the following parishes: St. Augustine in West Allis (1968–1974), St. Anthony in Sharon (1974), and St. Mary in Rankin (1974–1976). He then became pastor of St. Augustine Parish in West Allis (1976–1986) and Sacred Heart in Milwaukee (1986–1989). In 1989, he was appointed pastor at St. Jerome Croatian Parish in Detroit, where he oversaw the construction of a beautiful new church, parish hall, rectory, and a large parking area, relocating the parish to a better and safer part of the city. The parish received a new name: St. Lucy. He remained there until 1997, when he was appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Bethlehem, PA.

Fr. Nenad also served as Custodial Councilor (1976–1979, 2000–2004, 2004–2007) and president of the Croatian Civic Club in Milwaukee. He founded prayer groups: "Heart of Mary – Milwaukee" and "Touch of Mary – Detroit/Troy." He led numerous pilgrimages from the U.S. to Medjugorje. He served as Guardian of the St. Anthony Friary in Chicago from 2005–2013, 2015–2018, and 2018–2024.

Fr. Nenad Josip Galić will be buried at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Chicago, where fifty-one of our brothers rest.