Rev. Father Dennis Gilbert Volmi

Reverend Father Dennis Gilbert Volmi, 71, of Milford, DE passed away peacefully on Monday, June 28, 2021 at the Delaware Hospice Center, Milford. Father Volmi was born in Kearny, NJ, the son of the late Gilbert Peter and Irene (Gelcius) Volmi. After graduating from Newark Senior High School, Father Volmi attended the University of Delaware where he received a bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts. Toward the end of his senior year he was accepted by Bishop Mardaga as a seminarian for the Diocese of Wilmington. Father was sent by Bishop Mardaga to the Seminary of the American College and the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium where he received a Bachelors and Masters degree in Theology.

Father was ordained a priest by Bishop Mardaga on July 12, 1975 at St. Peter's Cathedral in Wilmington, DE. He was then sent to the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC where he received J.C.B. (Bachelors in Canon Law) and a J.C.L. (Licentiate in Canon Law). In September of 1977, he was sent to Rome to continue his Canon Law studies where he received a J.C.D. (Doctorate in Canon Law) in 1979 from the Pontifical Lateran University.

Father Volmi returned to the Diocese of Wilmington in 1979 and was appointed Officialis (Judicial Vicar) of the Diocese of Wilmington in 1980 where he served in that position until May 1989. In June 1989, Father was released by Bishop Mulvee to the Archdiocese for the Military Services to serve on active duty as a Catholic Chaplain in the U.S. Air Force. 

He served as a Senior Catholic Chaplain or Wing Chaplain at the following bases and deployments locations during his military career: Malmstrom AFB, Montana; William AFB, Arizona; Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal; Hill AFB, Utah; San Vito AB, Italy in support of Operation Joint Endeavor; Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan; Operation Sabilise Timor Crisis-International Force in East Timor (formerly colony of Indonesia); Seymour-Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, North Carolina; Operation Enduring Freedom, Manas International Airport, in the former Soviet Republic of Kyrgyzstan; Fairchild AFB, Washington State; Operation Iraqi Freedom, Baghdad, Irag; and Dover AFB, Dover, Delaware. After 23 years of service, Father Volmi had attained the rank of Major at the time of his retirement.  He also began to assist the Parish of St. John the Apostle and St Bernadette’s mission Church with weekend Masses.  Father Volmi’s expertise in Canon Law and many years of pastoral experience, made him a sought out confessor, teacher and counselor.  

Father Volmi was an excellent cook and he loved to read. He was an accomplished musician, and loved to play and listen to all styles of music. He also was an avid animal lover, and especially loved raising his dogs.

He is survived by two sisters Andrea Volmi Jackson and Germaine Volmi Chapis (Stephen); a niece Amy Jackson; a nephew Matthew Jackson as well as many friends and parishioners whom he came to love as family.

A viewing will be held from 5 - 8 pm on Friday, July 2, 2021 and again from 10 - 11 am on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, 506 Seabury Avenue, Milford where a Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 11 am. A repass for Father will be held following Mass. pm. Burial with Air Force Honors in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 32112 Vines Creek Road, Dagsboro, DE. The family asks that no flowers be sent. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE  19713. Arrangements by Lofland Funeral Home, Milford. Letters of condolence may be shared with the family at www.loflandandmcknatt.com. 

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