Father Lourduraj Gally Gregory

IC file photo

+ Enlarge

Father Lourduraj Gally Gregory

June 25, 1958 ~ October 13, 2022

Beloved pastor and chaplain Father Lourduraj Gally Gregory died suddenly at Immaculate Conception Parish in Copperton, Utah, where he was serving as pastor, on October 13, 2022 at the age of 64. The cause of death was heart disease.

Father is survived by his mother, Margaretta; sisters Josephine, Francisca and Angela Mary; and younger brother Kanickairaj, all of whom reside in India.

Born June 25, 1958 in Manambathi Kandigai, Tamil Nadu, India to Gally and Margaretta Gregory, he attended Catholic schools in India and was ordained April 22, 1987 for the Archdiocese of Madras Mylapore and incardinated in the new Diocese of Chingleput, India. He served in various assignments in his home diocese.

Following 17 years of ministry in India, he traveled to the United States as an extern priest to serve 18 years in the Diocese of Salt Lake City, where he was formally incardinated Aug. 18, 2011. He was naturalized a U. S. citizen on August 7, 2015.

Fr. Gally served as parochial vicar at Saint Ambrose Parish in Salt Lake City, and pastor of Saint Patrick Parish in Salt Lake City and later Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Magna. His final assignment was as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Copperton, and chaplain for Saint Joseph Villa Senior Center and for the Carmelite nuns.

In addition to his parish assignments, Fr. Gally also served as hospital chaplain at Salt Lake Regional Hospital and the Veterans Medical Center.  His kindness, patience and concern for people of all faiths made him very effective in providing pastoral care for the sick and elderly. During his 18 years in Utah, Fr. Gally was the faithful servant who gave his life for the good of others. Given modern technology, he was able to visit daily with his family members in India.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 4, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 309 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, with a vigil service held at the cathedral at 7 p.m. the prior evening. Father Gally, at his request, will be buried in India. Arrangements courtesy of Starks Mortuary.