Father Bleiler, known for his enthusiasm and compassion, dies

An athletic and powerfully built man with voice to match, Father William Bleiler would call out in Spanish and alternately ring a large bell to get the attention of migrant workers when he arrived at their farms to celebrate outdoor Mass on a homemade altar.

Other images from his 87 years include him working with plumbers’ tools, wearing a military uniform, being ordained by Pope Paul VI, promoting vocations in Brazil, and ministering to the parishioners at Saint Michael Parish in Cedarville, where he was pastor for 12 years.

Father Bleiler, who once said the celebration of the Eucharist and preaching the Gospel were “my greatest joy,” died June 17.

Bishop Dennis Sullivan celebrated the funeral Mass on June 22 at Saint Mary Church, Cherry Hill. Burial was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia.

“For me, it was not easy to discern God’s calling,” Father Bleiler said in 1991.

He became a plumber, was drafted into the Army, and eventually met a priest who encouraged him to consider the seminary. He did and was ordained in Saint Peter’s Basilica on Jan. 6, 1966.

He taught at Paul VI High School, Haddonfield, for two years before volunteering to serve in the Camden Diocese’s Brazilian Mission. He returned to South Jersey seven years later, studied Spanish and became director of the Spanish Mobile Apostolate, ministering to migrant workers in lower Gloucester and Salem counties.

From 1997-2009, Father Bleiler was pastor of Saint Michael Parish. He retired in 2010 with the title Pastor Emeritus.

Father Bleiler served as New Jersey chaplain to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and was national chaplain 1996-97. He remained an advocate for veterans for the rest of his life.

Father John Tumosa, a retired priest of the Camden Diocese, said Father Bleiler had “a good heart for the sick and poor.”

“He put into practice the beautitudes,” he added.

Father Bleiler truly believed a priest was ordained for life, Father Tumosa said. He said he admired his friend’s continued zeal for ministry in retirement, espeically to inmates and hospital patients.

He also said that Father Bleiler was a man of great passions, and that he had a great love for the Daughters of Mercy, veterans, Latinos and the pope.

Which pope? “All of them,” Father Tumosa said.