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Deacon Luis Guillermo Baerga, who served the Hispanic community at St. John the Evangelist parish in Goshen, died March 15 at his home in Goshen. He was 78.
His ministry at St. John’s, his home parish, involved the gamut of parish activities and services, including sacramental work such as baptisms and marriages, catechetical work including the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, youth ministry and counseling.
“He made real inroads with the Hispanic community in the 14 years he served there; he did a wonderful job,” said Deacon Anthony P. Casaneto, director of the Diaconate Office at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie.
Deacon Baerga was ordained to the diaconate in 1977 after studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary.
Born in Puerto Rico, he earned a degree in pharmacy at Fordham University. He worked as a pharmacist for more than 35 years at several pharmacies and at Horton and Arden Hill hospitals in the Hudson Valley area before retiring.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Deacon Baerga is survived by his wife, Elisa; a daughter, Emily Horan; and a son, Louis.
A Funeral Mass was offered March 22 at St. John the Evangelist Church, with burial in St. John’s Cemetery in Goshen.
