Obituary of Brother Albin Anthony "Chris" Golla, S.M.M.

Brother Christopher Golla, S.M.M. died peacefully January 5, 2018 at Good Samaritan Hospital, West Islip, NY.  Son of the late John and Frances Golla, he was 90 years old and a professed member of the Montfort Missionaries for 59 years. His entire ministry was spent in the Diocese of Rockville Center, in Bay Shore, Port Jefferson and Eastport. He rejoiced in his three “heritages”, that he was a Texan, Polish, and Montfortian. His warm, witty and friendly personality touched the lives of hundreds of people on Long Island. Born Albin Anthony Golla in Houston, TX in 1927 he served in the U.S. Army from 1950-52, where he learned the printing trade.  Professed as a brother in the Montfort Missionaries in 1958 and took the religious name of Christopher.   He put his trade to enormous use at Queen of All Hearts and Montfort Publications in Bay Shore; in addition, he served at times as cook and bursar. In 1982 Br. Chris began a new phase of ministry by undertaking studies in Pastoral Care; he proved to be wonderfully gifted for this ministry. From 1982-84 he served as a chaplain at Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson and from 1984-88 at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip. In 1988 he moved to the Shrine of our Lady of the Island in Eastport, where he became a “goodwill ambassador” –  responsible for a spirit of friendship among the volunteers and welcome for the pilgrims to the Shrine. In 2000 Br. Chris moved to Bay Shore where once again he focused on the sick, as a chaplain at Southside Hospital, Bay Shore. Only declining health stopped him from visiting patients and staff at Southside.  He is survived by nieces and nephews and other family members here in the USA and Poland who love him dearly.Wake Tuesday Jan. 9 from 3 – 8 pm at the Montfort Spiritual Center 26 S. Saxon Ave. Bay Shore, NY 11706.  Mass of the Resurrection at St. Patrick’s Parish, 9 North Clinton Avenue; Bay Shore, NY on Wednesday Jan. 10 at 10:30am.  All arrangements conducted by The Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Montfort Missionaries.