Rev. Joseph Girzone of Altamont, who sold millions of "Joshua" books, dies at 85

The Rev. Joseph Girzone, a Catholic parish priest turned author who sold millions of his "Joshua" books in an international publishing phenomenon that spawned a feature film, died Sunday at St. Peter's Hospital from complications of a longtime heart condition.

The simply written story of a carpenter and Christlike figure who arrived in a small town and transformed ordinary lives with random acts of kindness and messages of peace struck a chord in readers and was brought to the attention of an editor at Macmillan.

The major publisher bought the rights and with its national distribution and marketing might, published five more titles in the "Joshua" series and the books reached unexpected heights.

Lapsed Catholics and spiritual seekers of all stripes showed up at his home high atop a hill in Altamont, a 21-room Victorian mansion that had been a summer retreat for the wealthy Pruyn family of Albany.

With six-figure book advances and a steady stream of royalties, Girzone restored the mansion and turned the 94 acres into a retreat center for his philanthropy, the Joshua Foundation.

The 2012 movie starred Tony Goldwyn and F. Murray Abraham and played at Crossgates Mall, where audiences responded with standing ovations and the Christian media praised its morally uplifting message.

"People in need from the diocese were brought to his attention and he helped a lot of people who had fallen on hard times," Hubbard said, including paying tuition for needy high school students.

Riggi said Girzone quietly funded the Joshua Project in Schoharie County, which operated a food pantry, delivered meals and helped pay heating bills of the rural poor.