Edmund Gibbons

Edmund Gibbons was born in White Plains, New York, to James and Joanna (née Ray) Gibbons, who were Irish immigrants.[1] His father was a laborer who helped build the New York State Capitol.[2] After graduating from Niagara University in 1887, he studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome from 1887 to 1893.[1] He was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1893.[3] He then served as secretary to Bishop Stephen V. Ryan (1893-1896), superintendent of Catholic schools in the Buffalo Diocese (1900-1916), and pastor of St. Vincent's Church in Attica (1904-1915).[1] He was pastor of St. Teresa's Church in Buffalo from 1916 to 1919.[1]

On March 10, 1919, Gibbons was appointed the sixth Bishop of Albany by Pope Benedict XV.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on the following March 25 from Archbishop Giovanni Bonzano, with Bishops John Grimes and Thomas Walsh serving as co-consecrators.[3] He guided the diocese through the Great Depression and World War II, and oversaw a great increase in religious vocations and parishes.[2] He also established The College of Saint Rose, Siena College, Mater Christi Seminary, 22 high schools, 82 grade schools, and the diocesan newspaper, The Evangelist.[2]

After thirty-five years as bishop, Gibbons resigned on November 10, 1954; he was named Titular Bishop of Verbe on the same date.[3] He later died at age 95.