Deceased Friars

Alan Lyman, OFM

Alan Lyman

1924 – 1974

Fr. Alan Lyman, OFM, was born on April 13, 1924 in Duryea, Pa. After graduating from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., he was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1946, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1950 and was ordained in 1952.

His first assignment was to St. Anthony Shrine in Boston. From there, Fr. Alan went to New Jersey to do parish work. He became a chaplain in the U.S. Navy and served in Italy and Japan. During his five years in the Navy, he was known as an excellent preacher, and his meaningful sermons had a profound impact on his listeners. When he completed his time with the Navy, he served in the southern missions. His final assignment brought him to St. Anthony’s Parish in Butler, N.J.

After Christmas 1973, he went to visit his sister in Washington, where he died on Jan. 5, 1974. Fr. Alan was 49 years old, a professed friar for 26 years and a priest for 21 years.

Each of us should be called a lesser brother, a Friar Minor. Each one of us should wash the feet of the others.”

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Alan Lyman, OFM

Alan Lyman

1924 – 1974

Fr. Alan Lyman, OFM, was born on April 13, 1924 in Duryea, Pa. After graduating from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., he was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1946, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1950 and was ordained in 1952.

His first assignment was to St. Anthony Shrine in Boston. From there, Fr. Alan went to New Jersey to do parish work. He became a chaplain in the U.S. Navy and served in Italy and Japan. During his five years in the Navy, he was known as an excellent preacher, and his meaningful sermons had a profound impact on his listeners. When he completed his time with the Navy, he served in the southern missions. His final assignment brought him to St. Anthony’s Parish in Butler, N.J.

After Christmas 1973, he went to visit his sister in Washington, where he died on Jan. 5, 1974. Fr. Alan was 49 years old, a professed friar for 26 years and a priest for 21 years.