Andrew Carberry, OFM

1902 – 1981

Br. Andrew Carberry, OFM, was born March 7, 1902 in Glasgow, Scotland. A carpenter by trade, he came to the United States in 1923. He became a member of the Secular Franciscans at Our Lady of Mercy Parich in Philadelphia. Br. Andrew was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1937 and professed temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1941.

He spent most of his friar life as a carpenter. Br. Andrew built lab tables for the chemistry lab at Siena College and helped the old St. Anthony Shrine in Boston become established. He went wherever his talents were needed, including Holy Cross Parish, Bronx, N.Y., St. Stephen of Hungary Parish, New York City, and St. Stephen Friary, Croghan, N.Y. Br. Andrew was a cheerful, hardworking friar who would fix anything. In his later years, he cared for the sacristy in the Paterson retreat house, impressing retreatants with his simplicity and kindness.

He died on April 26, 1981 at St. Francis Hospital in Olean, N.Y. Br. Andrew was 79 years old, a professed friar for 42 years.