Arnold F Brown, OFM

1923 – 2003

Fr. Arnold Brown, OFM, was born on Jan. 2, 1923 in Washington and baptized Edmund. He was received into the Order at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1943, professing simple vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1947 and was ordained in 1949.

His first assignment was to Bishop Timon High School in Buffalo, N.Y., where he served until 1953, when he joined the staff of St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y. Fr. Arnold also served as pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Long Eddy, N.Y. In 1956, he transferred to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, where he served as chaplain to the bus pilgrimages sponsored by the Franciscan Family Circle. After he began working in that office, tours extended to visit shrines in New Orleans, Philadelphia-Doylestown, and West Haverstraw, N.Y., and California, Europe, Florida, the Holy Land, New Hampshire, and Nova Scotia. In 1955, he retired to St. Anthony Friary, St. Petersburg, Fla.

He died there on Dec. 29, 2003. Fr. Arnold was 81 years old, a professed friar for 59 years and a priest for 54 years.