Daniel James Gercke

Daniel Gercke was born on October 9, 1874, in the Holmesburg section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Christopher and Catherine (née Shea) Gercke.^[1] He attended St. Joseph's College in Philadelphia, from where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1891.^[1] He completed his theological studies at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia.^[2]

Gercke was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by Archbishop Patrick Ryan on June 1, 1901.^[3] He then served as a curate at St. Joseph's Parish in Girardville, Pennsylvania, and afterwards at Holy Trinity Parish in Philadelphia.^[1] He briefly served at St. Mary's Parishh in Philadelphia before going to Vigan City, Philippines, in 1903.^[1] He served as vicar general of the Diocese of Nueva Cáceres in the Philippines from 1910 to 1919.^[1]

Gercke was named a domestic prelate by Pope Benedict XV in 1915, and returned to Philadelphia in 1919. He then served as rector of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul.^[1]

On June 21, 1923, Gercke was appointed the third bishop of Tucson by Pope Pius XI.^[3] He received his episcopal consecration on November 6, 1923, from Cardinal Dennis Dougherty, with Bishops John MacGinley and James Paul McCloskey serving as co-consecrators.^[3]

On September 28, 1960, Pope Paul VI accepted Gercke's resignation as bishop of Tucson and named him as titular archbishop of Cotyaeum on the same date.^[3] Daniel Gercke died on March 19, 1964, at age 89.^[3]