A Life of Service: Lehigh Valley Bids Final Farewell to Father Daniel Gambet

Friends, family, and fellow Oblates gathered to remember Father Daniel Gambet, OSFS, president emeritus, and pay tribute to his life of service.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held in Connelly Chapel and live-streamed on the DeSales Campus Ministry YouTube channel.

Fr. Alexander Pocetto, OSFS, who served as the University’s academic dean and senior vice president, praised his longtime friend and mentor’s sense of humor, sharp wit, and steadfast leadership.

“As I see it, Fr. Gambet decided to live Jesus as Jesus did — as one who came not to be served but to serve,” Fr. Pocetto said. “And he used his not inconsiderable leadership talents in numerous and diverse ways to serve others.”

Very Rev. Lewis Fiorelli, OSFS, provincial of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, remembered Fr. Gambet as a good man, a holy priest, a gifted educator and administrator, and a loyal friend.

“Fr. Gambet wore many hats — all of them well,” Fr. Fiorelli said. “But I believe that the hat he wore best was that of an Oblate and a priest. He was proud of his Catholic faith; he was grateful for his Oblate vocation. Like every Oblate, he knew how to bloom wherever he was planted in life and how to become the very best version of himself under every circumstance and with all people.”

Fr. Gambet entered the Oblates after graduating from high school. He made his first profession of vows on September 8, 1948. After his ordination in 1957, he taught at Father Judge High School in Philadelphia and Salesianum High School in Wilmington, Del., where he also served as prefect of discipline.

Fr. Gambet began his career at DeSales University in 1965, serving as academic dean and a teacher of history and Latin. From 1972 until 1978, he was provincial of the Wilmington/Philadelphia Province of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales.

In 1978, Fr. Gambet became the second president of DeSales University, serving until his retirement in 1999. Under his leadership, the University underwent tremendous growth both in academic reputation and in size.

“DeSales University would not be what it is without Dan Gambet — it’s that simple,” said Father James Greenfield, OSFS ’84, president of DeSales. “1965 until 2022: over 50 years of life, of love, and ministry. Looking around this chapel today, look at the fruit that has borne through his ministry.” 

Fr. Gambet died on February 28, 2022. He’ll be laid to rest on March 16 at the Oblate Cemetery in Childs, Maryland. DeSales is also organizing a celebration of life for Fr. Gambet’s friends and acquaintances from his many years in the Lehigh Valley. That event will take place in the DeSales University Center later this spring.