Deceased Friars

Brian Duffy, OFM

Brian Duffy

1917 – 1983

Fr. Brian Duffy, OFM, was born in New York City on April 23, 1917. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., and entered Holy Name’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., on Aug. 12, 1940. He professed temporary vows Aug. 13, 1941, and made his profession of solemn vows Sept. 17, 1944. Fr. Brian was ordained a priest June 9, 1946.

He was assigned to Bishop Timon High School, Buffalo, N.Y., to teach English, as he already had his master’s degree from St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, N.Y. In 1953, he joined the faculty at St. Bonaventure as a professor of English, and a year later, he was appointed dean of studies.

He received his second M.A. from Columbia University and was then assigned to Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., as dean of studies and a professor of English. Fr. Brian was named president of Siena in 1964 and initiated a long-range expansion program which included the building of Roger Bacon Science Center and Hennepin Residence Hall, as well as landscaping the campus and developing the Board of Trustees. In 1980, Fr. Brian was named president emeritus and illness forced his retirement from teaching.

Fr. Brian was known to be always the gentleman-friar, and his dedication to the educational ministries of the Province was appreciated by friars, laity and students. He died May 18, 1983 in Albany, N.Y. He was 66 years old, a professed friar for 41 years and a priest for almost 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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Brian Duffy, OFM

Brian Duffy

1917 – 1983

Fr. Brian Duffy, OFM, was born in New York City on April 23, 1917. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., and entered Holy Name’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., on Aug. 12, 1940. He professed temporary vows Aug. 13, 1941, and made his profession of solemn vows Sept. 17, 1944. Fr. Brian was ordained a priest June 9, 1946.

He was assigned to Bishop Timon High School, Buffalo, N.Y., to teach English, as he already had his master’s degree from St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, N.Y. In 1953, he joined the faculty at St. Bonaventure as a professor of English, and a year later, he was appointed dean of studies.

He received his second M.A. from Columbia University and was then assigned to Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., as dean of studies and a professor of English. Fr. Brian was named president of Siena in 1964 and initiated a long-range expansion program which included the building of Roger Bacon Science Center and Hennepin Residence Hall, as well as landscaping the campus and developing the Board of Trustees. In 1980, Fr. Brian was named president emeritus and illness forced his retirement from teaching.

Fr. Brian was known to be always the gentleman-friar, and his dedication to the educational ministries of the Province was appreciated by friars, laity and students. He died May 18, 1983 in Albany, N.Y. He was 66 years old, a professed friar for 41 years and a priest for almost 37 years.