Father Jose Garrido Villagomez, OFM Cap, was called by the Lord to eternal life on May 20, 2023 at the Guam Regional Medical Center. He was 78 years old.
 
He was born on Saipan on September 30, 1944, the son of Ignacio Pangelinan Villagomez and the former Ana Garrido. He was one of ten children, seven of whom preceded him in death. Those who have passed were Merced (married to +Victorino C. Cabrera), Francisco, Romana (married to +Alejandro C. Tudela), Rafael, Jesus, Juan and Ramon. Two sisters, with their husbands, survive him; Consolacion (married to Franklin B. Quichocho) and Cecilia (married to Vicente A. San Nicolas). He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Isabel C., Maria S., Nieves S., Luise C. and Angelina C. Villagomez, numerous nephews and nieces.


He attended Saipan’s public schools until he enrolled at Saipan’s only Catholic school, Mount Carmel School, in the 10^th grade. He continued there in the 11^th grade. Sensing a priestly vocation and supported by the pastor of Saipan, Capuchin Father Arnold Bendowske, Father Jose moved to Guam to study as a seminarian at Father Dueñas Memorial School and Minor Seminary. He graduated from that school in 1962.
 
Father Jose wanted to join the Capuchins after graduating from high school, but Father Ignatius McCormick, Provincial of the Saint Mary Province at the time, did not accept applicants to the Order from Saipan. Undismayed, Father Jose went instead to the San Jose Seminary in Manila, the Philippines, run by the Jesuits. On August 31, 1966, a new Provincial, Father Adrian Holzmeister, admitted Father Jose as a novice of the Capuchin Franciscan Order in the Saint Mary Province (New York-New England). After completing his philosophy and theology programs in the Province, he was ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 1974 at Mount Carmel Church, Chalan Kanoa, Saipan.
 
His first priestly assignment was at San Jose Church in Oleai, Saipan until 1976 when he was assigned as parochial vicar at Saint Jude Church in Sinajaña, Guam. In 1977 he was reassigned to San Jose Church in Oleai, Saipan and subsequently served in all the churches of Saipan at different times. In 1988 he was assigned pastor of San Dimas parish in Merizo and San Dionisio parish in Umatac, both on Guam. In 1997 he became pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in Agat, Guam; in 2005 he was assigned pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in Santa Rita, Guam; in 2008 he was assigned pastor of Saint Francis parish in Yoña, Guam. From time to time he taught various subjects in Catholic schools, such as Mount Carmel School in Saipan and Bishop Baumgartner Junior High School in Guam.
 
In 2015 he retired from full-time ministry and took up residence at Saint Fidelis Friary on Guam. From that time on, Father Jose celebrated Mass with the people who came to the Friary weekday Masses and assisted in whatever parish needed his help from time to time. He also served as exorcist of the Archdiocese of Agaña until his passing.
 
When Father Daniel Cristobal, OFM Cap could no longer serve as Spiritual Assistant to the Chamorro-speaking Secular Franciscan fraternity, Father Jose assumed that ministry. He was faithful in giving them spiritual talks every month at their regular gatherings at the friary. Besides the Secular Franciscans, Father Jose was often sought by people needing his counsel and advice.
 
Father Jose was called on to lend his talents to various civic agencies. He was chairman of the Health Planning Agency in Saipan which undertook the construction of the present hospital (the Commonwealth Medical Center). In Saipan, he also served as judge of the Disability Council and a board member of the Emergency Management Office. A first-language, fluent speaker of Chamorro, he was one of the Chamorro translators of the first Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas and, on Guam, served on the Chamorro Language Commission.
 
Everyone enjoyed Father Jose’s cheerful personality. He was fond of making spontaneous jokes and often entertained people singing and playing the guitar. He sometimes did so live on TV on the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy telethon broadcast on Guam.
 
His cheerful acceptance of his declining health was matched by his deep prayerfulness. He was often seen alone praying in the friary chapel long before his illnesses began. May he enjoy now the eternal presence of the Lord whom he so fervently sought in life.
 
The Holy Rosary is being prayed nightly at 7PM at Saint Fidelis Friary, Agaña Heights, Guam. Viewing will also be at Saint Fidelis Friary on Monday, May 29, 2023, from 8AM till 12 noon. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at Santa Teresita Church, Mangilao at 1PM. Father Jose’s remains will be interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Togcha.
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Write-up and photos provided by Palé Eric Forbes, the Capuchin Franciscan Friars.