Bonaventure Hinchliffe, OFM

1906 – 1986

Br. Bonaventure Hinchliffe, OFM, was born in Paterson, N.J., on Dec. 6, 1906. He became a tertiary brother in 1927.

In 1929, he entered the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., and professed temporary vows the following year. He made his solemn profession in 1933.

Br. Bonaventure served at St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, N.Y., for two years and was then assigned to St. Anthony Friary in Butler, N.J., Holy Name College in Washington, D.C., and St. Stephen of Hungary Friary in New York City.

In 1935, he returned to St. Bonaventure College where he became the postmaster. After three years, he went to St. Francis Retreat House in Brookline, Mass., for 11 years. Br. Bonaventure then relocated to Buffalo, N.Y., to serve five years at Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School. He also worked in the service churches of Boston and Providence, R.I., and spent his final 25 years at Our Lady’s Chapel in New Bedford, Mass.

Br. Bonaventure was a very thoughtful and sympathetic friar all of his life. He was a careful and efficient worker and content to remain in the background. His simplicity and friendly disposition impressed friars and laity alike.

He died Aug. 27, 1986, at the Rose Hawthorne Lathrop Home in Fall River, Mass. Br. Bonaventure was 79 years old and a professed friar for 56 years.