Anthony J. Gostkowski

Deacon

Deacon Anthony J. Gostkowski (Deacon Tony) was born on May 11, 1944 in New Brunswick to Anthony and Lillian Gostkowski. A member of Saint Mary of Ostrabrama Parish in South River, he attended public schools in South River and received a B. A. degree in Economics from Rutgers College. After college, he served in the U. S. Army, graduating from U. S. Army Officer Candidate School. His service included a tour of duty as a First Lieutenant with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam during which time he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Army Commendation Medal.
On returning from Vietnam, Deacon Tony married his high school sweetheart, Elaine A. Freeman. He earned an M. B. A. degree in Accounting from Rutgers University and is a Certified Public Accountant in New York and New Jersey. He is currently Executive Vice President of Engelhard Hanovia, Inc., a New York based family investment company.
Deacon Tony was ordained on May 5, 1996 by Bishop Edward T. Hughes at Saint Francis Cathedral and since that time has served at Saint Bartholomew Parish in East Brunswick. In addition to his Diaconal Ministry at Saint Bartholomew, which includes serving as a member of the Client Service Team of the parish’s Saint Vincent DePaul Society Conference. Deacon Tony is also a member of the Pastoral Team of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, New York where he has assisted at daily Mass since his ordination.
In 2004, the Diocese’s Flame of Charity Foundation honored Deacon Tony as its Community Servant. In 2016, Deacon Tony was awarded the pontifical honor, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice by Pope Francis in recognition of his ministry in the church. He has served as Chairman of the Diocese’s Diaconate Personnel Board, President of the Flame of Charity Foundation, an Advisory Board member of Bishop George Ahr High School and the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry and Treasurer of the Eastern Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Currently, he is a member of the Finance Council of Diocese of Metuchen. Also, Deacon Tony is a Board Member of the National Down Syndrome Society.
Deacon Tony and Elaine have been married for 52 years and have two sons, Michael and Christopher, and three granddaughters and one grandson.