BALLSTON SPA — Rev. William H. (Padre Guilherme) Tracy, C.Ss.R., 88, a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Redemptorist order for 68 years and a Ballston Spa native, died Thursday, April 12, 2018 in Campo Grande, Brazil.
Born on June 5, 1929 in Ballston Spa, he was a 1946 graduate of Ballston Spa High School and professed his vows as a Redemptorist on Aug. 2, 1950. Ordained into the priesthood on June 19, 1955, Father celebrated his first Mass in St. Mary’s Church in Ballston Spa.
Father served as a missionary most of his life in the Popular Missions, in parishes and in the formation of new Redemptorists throughout Brazil. In 1981, he established the New Life Community, a multi-tiered treatment center in Curitiba, Brazil. He devoted his life to saving members of the clergy from addiction agonies at a pioneering treatment center that leads participants to sobriety through daily therapy and prayer. The center was overseen by Father Tracy in conjunction with Sister Irma Terezinha de Jesus Dias, DM, and is assisted by additional psychologists, physicians, former priests and volunteers. To date, over a thousand clergy, seminarians, nuns, religious and lay individuals have been aided to recovery due to his dedication.
For over four decades, Father Tracy was the intermediary recipient of over one hundred engraved chalices, inscribed with the name of recently departed members of Saratoga Assembly 745 Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus upon their passing. He would annually return to Saratoga Springs, attending K of C Council 246 benefit dinners that aided his mission and ministry in the New Life Community. Father would return these chalices to Brazil and present them as gifts to newly ordained priests to celebrate the Liturgy and honor the memory of deceased Saratoga Sir Knights and daily Mass intentions.
Father is survived by several cousins, including John and Hazel Carey and their children, John (Kristy), Ann and Mary Carey of Saratoga Springs. Predeceased by one sister, Mary Lou Tracy of Ballston Spa, Father remained eternally grateful as she willed their family’s Ballston Spa McLean street property to make possible a much-needed addition to the treatment facility.
A Mass of Christian Burial was con-celebrated April 13, 2018 in the Campo Grande province, Brazil, where he is laid to rest.
The community is invited to attend a memorial Mass of Thanksgiving of his life at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 9, 2018 in St. Clement’s Roman Catholic Church, 231 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs. The Rev. George J. Blasick, C.Ss.R., pastor, will officiate.
Members of Saratoga Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Assembly 745 Color Corps will meet at church to serve as an honor guard. Memorials may be made to St. Clement’s Church or any of their outreach programs.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com. These will be forwarded and shared with family and Father’s many grateful friends in Brazil.
