On July 29, 2024 our Br. Alberic Gardner turned 100 becoming the longest-lived Genesee Abbey monk. Originally from Fulton, NY, he is the middle of three children, all boys. His younger brother is still alive. Alberic (Louis) joined the merchant marine after high school and worked on commercial ships running the gauntlet of German submarines. He participated in the “D-Day” invasion of Normandy, arriving 11 hours after the first wave of soldiers went ashore, and operating a tugboat near Omaha Beach, helping to create a bridge that would allow the “Ducks” (amphibious vehicles) to land. He would later serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

When asked about what drew him to monastic life he answered, “Nothing. It wasn’t attractive at all.” It just got into his head that it was something he ought to do, he said, and the idea wouldn’t go away. He wanted to have a family but the idea of monastic life “kept bothering” him, even after a retreat at Gethsemani Abbey which he thought had put the idea to rest. After agonizing about it for some time he heard a voice say loud and clear, “Well, why don’t you just go!” He was filled with peace and clarity and never looked back.

He entered Genesee in January of 1953 at the age of 27. He was a hard worker and a capable one who says he took pleasure in doing well whatever job he was given. He worked with the cattle and in the infirmary before being put in charge of the farm. For the next 50 years, with only one other monk to help him, he farmed the abbey’s 1200 acres, learning as he went along. Often, even into his 70s, he would work the “vigils” shift in the bakery before a long day in the fields.

As much as he loved to work, Br. Alberic says that he’s learned to always put being a monk first, which means saying “Yes” to whatever God says each day through your life, even when it’s hard. All of us at Genesee are deeply grateful for his extraordinary witness and perseverance.