McGillicuddy, Gabriel, 1901-1998, Capuchin brother

Eugene McGillicuddy was born in Cork on 8 September 1901. An enthusiastic and prominent member of the Third Order of St. Francis confraternity in his native city, he entered the Capuchin novitiate in April 1939 and took Gabriel as his religious name. After his profession, he was for some years a member of the Ard Mhuire community in County Donegal. He subsequently volunteered for the African missions and arrived in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) in February 1946. Br. Gabriel initially worked in Mukunkiki with Fr. Aquinas Carroll OFM Cap. and Fr. Salvator Quinn OFM Cap. In 1948, a decision was taken to move this mission to Mangango, located about thirty kilometres distant, and Br. Gabriel enjoyed a long association with this locality. He was particularly involved in the construction of mission churches, hospitals, and schools. In 1959, Fr. Bruno McKnight OFM Cap. and Br. Gabriel began work on the church of Saint Michael the Archangel and adjoining school at Nalionwa. This work was completed in 1960. He also supervised the construction of Saint John’s Secondary School in Katongo (1962) and Holy Cross Secondary School in Malengwa (1964). Br. Gabriel returned to Ireland in July 1983. He died at Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary in County Donegal on 7 July 1998 and was buried in the adjoining cemetery.

Baptismal name: Eugene Joseph McGillicuddy
Religious name: Br. Gabriel McGillicuddy OFM Cap.
Date of birth: 8 Sept. 1901
Place of birth: 5 King’s Terrace, Cork
Name of father: Daniel McGillicuddy (Grocer)
Name of mother: Ellen McGillicuddy (née Molyneaux)
Date of reception into the Capuchin Order: 21 Apr. 1939
Date of first profession: 22 Apr. 1940
Date of final profession: 4 Oct. 1943
Missionary activities: Travelled to Barotseland, Northern Rhodesia (later Zambia), on 21 Feb. 1946. He returned to Ireland on 21 July 1983.
Date of death: 8 July 1998
Place of death: Ard Mhuire Friary, County Donegal
Place of burial: Cemetery, Ard Mhuire Friary, County Donegal