Deceased Friars

Aurelius Fell, OFM

Aurelius Fell

1913 – 1978

Fr. Aurelius Fell, OFM, was born in Niagara Falls, N.Y., on May 23, 1913. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., and was received into Holy Name Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., Aug. 26, 1933.

He professed temporary vows Aug. 27, 1934, and made his profession of solemn vows Sept. 8, 1937. Fr. Aurelius was ordained a priest in Washington, D.C., on June 9, 1941.

As a young priest, he was assigned to the seminary in Callicoon where he taught history, served as assistant prefect of discipline and cared for Sacred Heart Church in Hankins.

In 1950, Fr. Aurelius went to Loudonville, N.Y., to work as teacher-administrator at Siena College until 1956. After a short stint at Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School in Buffalo, N.Y., he went to St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, N.Y., where he taught history for 22 years.

Fr. Aurelius was a master teacher who instructed, inspired and challenged young minds. Quiet and serious by nature, he was an exceptionally kind and gentle friar with a lively sense of humor. Fr. Aurelius loved the wilderness and his private time with his fishing pole.

He considered teaching a genuine Franciscan ministry and dedicated himself to his double vocation of priest-teacher until his death on July 29, 1978, at St. Bonaventure’s. Fr. Aurelius was 65 years old, a professed friar for 43 years and a priest for 37 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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Aurelius Fell, OFM

Aurelius Fell

1913 – 1978

Fr. Aurelius Fell, OFM, was born in Niagara Falls, N.Y., on May 23, 1913. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., and was received into Holy Name Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., Aug. 26, 1933.

He professed temporary vows Aug. 27, 1934, and made his profession of solemn vows Sept. 8, 1937. Fr. Aurelius was ordained a priest in Washington, D.C., on June 9, 1941.

As a young priest, he was assigned to the seminary in Callicoon where he taught history, served as assistant prefect of discipline and cared for Sacred Heart Church in Hankins.

In 1950, Fr. Aurelius went to Loudonville, N.Y., to work as teacher-administrator at Siena College until 1956. After a short stint at Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School in Buffalo, N.Y., he went to St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, N.Y., where he taught history for 22 years.

Fr. Aurelius was a master teacher who instructed, inspired and challenged young minds. Quiet and serious by nature, he was an exceptionally kind and gentle friar with a lively sense of humor. Fr. Aurelius loved the wilderness and his private time with his fishing pole.

He considered teaching a genuine Franciscan ministry and dedicated himself to his double vocation of priest-teacher until his death on July 29, 1978, at St. Bonaventure’s. Fr. Aurelius was 65 years old, a professed friar for 43 years and a priest for 37 years.