Every year at St. Mary of the Assumption in Pylesville, Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr. took great joy in participating in the Easter Vigil.
“He loved all liturgies, but especially the Easter vigil,” said Deacon Phil Seneschal, a retired deacon. “The Exsultet, Gary would always chant that as one of his contributions. He was a great singer.”
Deacon Dumer died July 8. He was 61.
Born Sept. 6, 1963, in Baltimore, Deacon Dumer graduated from Woodlawn High School before attending University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where he earned a degree in political science. He was accepted into University of Baltimore School of Law and graduated summa cum laude in 1994. He worked for several law firms before opening his own firm, Dumer and Barnes, in 2009.
He was a member of the St. Thomas More Society for Catholic lawyers, serving on the group’s Board of Governors and as president 2015-16.
Jim Edwards, chairman of St. Mary of the Assumption’s pastoral council, met Deacon Dumer through church. An attorney himself, Edwards admired Deacon Dumer’s desire to become a deacon while working full time and his commitment to the ministry.
“It is quite a sacrifice and quite a testament to his desire to serve,” Edwards said, noting that Deacon Dumer always had the support of his wife, Ellen.
“She took seriously his call to ministry,” Edwards said. “They were a team.”
Deacon Dumer was ordained in 2003. St. Mary of the Assumption was his only assignment.
“He was a great part of St. Mary Parish,” Deacon Seneschal said. “He was a man of great faith and great energy. His heart was always open to the Holy Spirit.”
Deacon Seneschal recalled Deacon Dumer’s “wonderful, wonderful homilies” and his “dynamic way of preaching.”
Edwards, too, said Deacon Dumer was an “amazing homilist.”
“He stood there with no notes, just the Holy Spirit,” Edwards said.
Deacon Dumer also was responsible for the creation of Man Hour, a group of men that meets every Saturday morning. When he started it 15 years ago, the group first met at 5 a.m. according to Edwards.
“When they moved it to 6 a.m., I thought ‘OK,’” said Edwards, who now leads the group at 7 a.m. every Saturday. “Guys are still attending. It is one simple example of the many, many things Gary did.”
Edwards said he could “go on forever” about Deacon Dumer. He believes Jesus greeted Deacon Dumer in heaven with, “Well done, my loving good, faithful servant.”
Deacon Dumer is survived by his wife of 38 years, four children and12 grandchildren.
A funeral Mass was offered July 12 at St. Mary of the Assumption.
Email Katie V. Jones at kjones@catholicreview.org
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