St. Gerald Pastor, Fr. Lawrence J. Malcolm, Dies July 4

OAK LAWN, IL -- The popular pastor of St. Gerald Parish passed away Thursday morning on the Fourth of July. The death of Rev. Lawrence J. Malcolm was announced on St. Gerald Friday Bingo Facebook page.

“My heart is so heavy and I cannot believe I have to say that our dear friend and pastor, Fr. Malcolm, passed away this morning. No details are available at this time … He will be missed by his staff, his parishioners, the schoolchildren and his Bingo buddies. We were so blessed to share his faith and leadership, but most of all his friendship. May he rest in God’s arms."

It is not known how the priest died. Fr. Malcolm was known for his good humor and famous bread which was sold at the annual parish summer carnival. He was a hard-working parish pastor, who had already built a gym at St. Daniel the Prophet when he arrived at St. Gerald’s in Oak Lawn.

"When I first arrived here, the first thing I noticed was a sign on Southwest Highway and Central Avenue, that said 'help us with our dream to build a gym,'" Fr. Malcolm joked at the 2012 dedication of the Jonathan Collins Activity Center. "Your dream was my nightmare. I can sleep in peace soon."

Parishioners also reacted to the stunning news of the priest’s death on Facebook.

“So sad, he was one of a kind.”

“He was an amazing soul, I know he is smiling, having deep discussions and laughs with God.”

Out of respect for Fr. Malcolm, the parish is calling off its weekly bingo game and pull tabs scheduled for Friday, July 5.

We have no further information at this time. Patch has reached out to the Archdiocese of Chicago. We will publish the arrangements as soon as they are known. Fr. Malcolm’s passing is a great loss to St. Gerald and the Oak Lawn community.