Deceased Friars

Cecil Goff, OFM

Cecil Goff

1908 – 1963

Fr. Cecil Goff, OFM, was born in Roxbury, Mass., on Jan. 26, 1908. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., and entered the Province’s novitiate in 1928 at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J.

He professed temporary vows in 1929 and solemn vows in 1932. In 1935, Fr. Cecil was ordained a priest in Washington, D.C.

Fr. Cecil’s first appointment was to St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, N.Y., where he taught chemistry; he was particularly skilled in biochemistry. In 1946, he was transferred to Holy Name College in Washington where he worked for five years. Fr. Cecil was then transferred to St. Francis Friary in Brookline, Mass, and, in 1953, assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City.

For three years, he served as chaplain of St. Francis Hospital in Jersey City, N.J., where he conducted classes in medical ethics for the personnel. Much of Fr. Cecil’s life was burdened by poor health, which he bore with quiet patience.

His final assignment was to St. Anthony Shrine in Boston.

He died Aug. 10, 1963, at St. Francis Hospital in Jersey City. He was 55 years old, a professed friar for almost 34 years and a priest for 28 years. He was the younger brother of Fr. Austin Goff, OFM, who died in 1971.

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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Cecil Goff, OFM

Cecil Goff

1908 – 1963

Fr. Cecil Goff, OFM, was born in Roxbury, Mass., on Jan. 26, 1908. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., and entered the Province’s novitiate in 1928 at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J.

He professed temporary vows in 1929 and solemn vows in 1932. In 1935, Fr. Cecil was ordained a priest in Washington, D.C.

Fr. Cecil’s first appointment was to St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, N.Y., where he taught chemistry; he was particularly skilled in biochemistry. In 1946, he was transferred to Holy Name College in Washington where he worked for five years. Fr. Cecil was then transferred to St. Francis Friary in Brookline, Mass, and, in 1953, assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City.

For three years, he served as chaplain of St. Francis Hospital in Jersey City, N.J., where he conducted classes in medical ethics for the personnel. Much of Fr. Cecil’s life was burdened by poor health, which he bore with quiet patience.

His final assignment was to St. Anthony Shrine in Boston.

He died Aug. 10, 1963, at St. Francis Hospital in Jersey City. He was 55 years old, a professed friar for almost 34 years and a priest for 28 years. He was the younger brother of Fr. Austin Goff, OFM, who died in 1971.