Reverend Gerard A. Trancone (Fr. T.; Fr. Jerry), October 22, 1942 – July 4, 2023, a native of
Newark, NJ. Son of the late Anthony and Grace (Visco) Trancone. He was predeceased by his
sister, Mary Lou Trancone, Rose Corbo and her husband, Anthony M. Corbo, and nephew
Anthony E. Corbo. Fr. Trancone was ordained to the priesthood on May 17, 1969 for the
Archdiocese of Washington after completing a Master of Divinity degree at St. Vincent Seminary
in Latrobe, PA. His first assignment was to St. Bernard of Clairvaux parish in Riverdale, MD
where he was known for his ministry to the Teen Club and production of the Club’s Broadway
review musicals. In 1972, he was transferred to St. John the Baptist de la Salle parish in
Chillum, MD. It was at St. John’s that his interest in learning American Sign Language (ASL)
began. After becoming proficient in ASL, he was assigned in 1978 to serve as Catholic Chaplain
at Gallaudet University, the global leader in education for deaf and hard of hearing students. He
later served as Director of the Center for Ministry to the Deaf and St. Francis of Assisi Chapel in
Landover Hill, MD. He ministered to deaf and hard of hearing Catholics in the Archdiocese of
Washington for over 40 years until his retirement. He also served in leadership positions for
several professional organizations dedicated to pastoral ministry to the deaf and hard of hearing.
He served as an advocate for the deaf and hard of hearing with great compassion, empathy,
As a part of his ministry to the Archdiocese of Washington, Fr. Trancone reviewed movies for the
Catholic Standard demonstrating his passion for theatre and film. Father was the moderator for
the Maryknights in Silver Spring. He used his creative talents in liturgical art and environment
and was an ardent traveler with his family, brother priests and parishioners.
Funeral services will take place Thursday, July 13, 2023, and Friday July 14, 2023 at St. Bernard
of Clairvaux Catholic Church, 5700 St. Bernard Drive, Riverdale MD. On Thursday, visitation will
be from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with a Vigil Mass at 7:00 p.m. with Most Reverend Roy Campbell
presiding. On Friday July 14, His Eminence Wilton Cardinal Gregory, Archbishop of Washington,
will preside at the Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Following Mass there will be a repast at St.
Bernard’s. Interment to follow at Stonewall Memory Gardens in Manassas, VA.
