'Lost a legend': Priest remembered as kind-hearted individual, passionate about television ministry

Jan. 17—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — A "legend" in both local radio and church, the Rev. Clarence "Chuck" Bridges died on Tuesday at the age of 82.

In addition to decades in broadcast working for WJNL and WCRO, Bridges is also responsible for creating the weekly live airing of Mass at St. John Gualbert Cathedral alongside Dino Tessari, and the half-hour newscast Proclaim! that's on before it.

"All those contributions are so exceptional and so noteworthy," Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Director of Communications Tony DeGol said. "His impact was very substantial because he built something that even today serves so many Catholics in our diocese. And he did it with such love and care."

DeGol took over hosting for Bridges on Proclaim! in 2013.

DeGol said that throughout the past decade, there hasn't been a week when planning the next broadcast he doesn't think of Bridges and his impact.

"That television ministry meant so much to him because it meant spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ beyond those four walls," DeGol said.

Bridges' longtime friend and fellow radio veteran Brian Vuletich said the priest was "just a wonderful person" and "it's a sad day" learning of his death.

"He'd done so much for people," Vuletich said. "It's a tremendous loss. I'm sure God is taking care of him today because if anybody is going to Heaven, it's Father Bridges."

Bridges was a Johnstown native who graduated from then-Johnstown Senior High School, attended the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and graduated from both then-St. Francis College and St. Vincent College Seminary.

He was ordained to the priesthood on May 14, 1988.

According to The Tribune- Democrat archives, Bridges had 20 years under his belt as a newscaster before going to college at the age of 40.

His first assignment after being ordained was as a parochial vicar at St. Benedict Catholic Church from 1988 to 1993.

He served in that same position at St. Mary Parish in Altoona from 1993 to 1995, and settled at St. John Gualbert in 1995, where he stayed until retirement.

The Rev. James Crookston said he'd known Bridges since the 1980s and spent 12 years living with him at St. John Gualbert Cathedral.

He described his friend as a private person who was quick-witted, kind-hearted and self-effacing, but a dedicated man.

Crookston said Bridges was "an incredible guy" who always directed the spotlight on others.

He also spoke about the importance of his friend's creation of weekly live broadcasts of Mass.

"He really took everything here to the next level," said the Rev. Matthew Baum, rector of St. John Gualbert Cathedral.

He added that those at the cathedral are happy to continue that historic ministry in his stead.

Prior to Bridges' involvement, St. John would broadcast a weekly Mass on public access television.

With the former newscaster's assistance, the program became a live, one-hour broadcast from the cathedral with multiple camera angles.

Because of his dedication, Bridges was always looking to upgrade the equipment, Crookston said, and he was known to drive to the receiver on Laural Mountain to scrape ice off during the winter to ensure there was a strong signal.

DeGol noted that the program is important to so many people in the diocese and helped to get many young parishioners a start in broadcasting.

He said Bridges relied on many lay people to help get Mass into area homes.

"He was a mentor to many young people who became camera crew, the graphics crew, the audio," Crookston said.

DeGol described Bridges' passing as a "deep loss" because he was "an inspiration to many."

"We lost a legend," Vuletich said.

Despite the loss, those involved with the diocese and the broadcast see the live program as a legacy for Bridges that will never end.

"His greatest impact is on the average Catholic, who every week tunes in to see what's happening in the diocese, what's happening in the parishes, what's happening in the schools," DeGol said, adding that especially for those who are homebound this connects them to the Church.

Viewings for Bridges will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Frank Duca Funeral Home in Westmont and from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. John Gualbert Cathedral, where a funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m.