The Rev. Msgr. Herbert K. Tillyer Campus for Senior Living

August 26, 2020

Congratulations to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson Board President Monsignor Herbert K. Tillyer.

On August 26th, he was surprised by Bishop Kevin Sweeney, Vicar General Msgr. Mahoney, members of the Riese Board of Trustees, members of the St. Peter's Parish Family, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, NJ State Senator Nellie Pou, Councilman Luis Velez, and close family members and friends at a socially distanced celebration.

Tillyer Paterson Towers NJ

At this event, the campus at the Governor Paterson Towers was named in his honor. There are 518 units in the Rev. Msgr. Herbert K. Tillyer Campus for senior living. The 3 buildings that make up the Towers provide excellent, safe and affordable housing for the elderly.

Many of the seniors at Catholic Charities Senior Day Program and Activities Center reside in these buildings, right in the heart of Paterson.

Monsignor Tillyer is the only person to serve on all 4 of Catholic Charities Boards of Trustees (Straight and Narrow, Catholic Family and Community Services, Department for Persons with Disabilities and Catholic Charities). He has been a member of the Rise Board for over 40 years and of Catholic Charities Board for over 50!

We are so proud of Monsignor Tillyer and grateful for all he does for those in need!

Dedication Video

REV. MSGR. HERBERT K. TILLYER, P.A. - Bio

Msgr. Herbert Tillyer has served on the Boards of Trustees of five Riese corporations since 1979, committed to providing excellent, safe and affordable housing for the elderly.

He is the Pastor Emeritus of Saint Peter the Apostle Parish in Parsippany, and is the current board President of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson He has the remarkable distinction of being the only individual to serve on each of the Catholic Charities boards (Straight and Narrow, Catholic Family and Community Services, Department for Persons with Disabilities and Catholic Charities) where he is been a member since 1970.

He began his work as a parish priest at Saint Virgil’s Parish in Morris Plains, when he was ordained in 1968 by Bishop Lawrence Casey. After just one year there, he was assigned to high school ministry at Paterson Catholic High School. Bishop Casey assigned him as the temporary Vice Chancellor of the Diocese in 1974. When Bishop Rodimer became the Bishop, he appointed Father Herb in December 1977 as the Chancellor of the Diocese and then in 1999 as the Vicar General after the death of Msgr. Joseph Brestel. His “temporary” service at the Diocese was complete in 2005 after 31 years working with Bishop Casey, Bishop Rodimer, and Bishop Serratelli. It was an honor to serve the diocesan family of parishes, agencies, schools, and people alongside so many extraordinary co-workers and dedicated volunteers for all those 31 years.

For many years, Msgr. Tillyer was the Diocesan Director of Cemeteries where he piloted major expansions at Calvary Cemetery in Paterson and Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa. Also connecting from his Chancery work, he has been serving as the President of 5 Risese Housing Corporations and Martin DePorres Village which all proudly offer good, safe, affordable housing to nearly 1,000 lower income senior citizens and families in Paterson and Passaic.

It is his profound blessing and gift from Jesus to look back as a grateful, happy parish priest ministering in excellent parishes that offered Catholic education to our children. It has been a unique gift to serve the diocese both in the Chancery and in ministry opportunities. The kindness of 4 excellent Bishops have had a profound impact on his life and work as a priest.