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Father Thomas Goekler, M.M., a missioner to Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and China, died Nov. 24 in Guatemala City. He was 69.
He was assigned to Guatemala City in 2008 to continue his work with at-risk young people and gang members. He earlier served for nine years in a similar ministry in Chamelecon, San Pedro Sula, Honduras, an impoverished area with rampant gang and youth violence. There he established four organizations to address the problem. One, called Caminando Par La Paz (Walking for Peace), helped young people to build homes, and learn construction trades and management skills in the process.
He also served in Nicaragua, 1985-1991, and China, 1995-1998.
Born in New Haven, Conn., he was ordained to the priesthood in 1967 for the Archdiocese of Hartford, Conn., after studying at St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester. He held a doctorate in ministry from Hartford Seminary.
He served as a parochial vicar at four Connecticut parishes. After studying Spanish at Catholic University in Ponce, Puerto Rico, he began a 17-year, inner-city ministry in Hartford. During that period he taught at two high schools.
He joined Maryknoll’s Priest Associate Program in 1985. He officially entered the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers in 1999, professing his final vows in 2002.
He is survived by four sisters, Sister Eleanor Goekler, S.M.I.C.; Margaret Marlowe; Frances Morneau; and Helen Macauley.
A Funeral Mass was offered Nov. 29 in Guatemala City. Burial followed at Cementerio Privado de Villa Guadalupe.
