Deceased Friars

Clarence Groff, OFM

Clarence Groff

1920 – 1969

Fr. Clarence Groff, OFM, was born Jan. 14, 1920 in Philadelphia. After graduation from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., he was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1942, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1946 and was ordained in 1948.

As a young priest, Fr. Clarence was first assigned to Bishop Timon High School, Buffalo, N.Y. He then spent seven years at St. Catherine’s Parish, Clarksville, Va., where he served as pastor and praeses. For the rest of his active life, Fr. Clarence served with the Western Mission Band out of St. Elizabeth Friary in Denver, then with the Eastern Mission Band at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston and at Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y.

Fr. Clarence devoted much time and energy working with men and women of the Alcoholics Anonymous program. Just before his death, he had made plans to study alcoholism at Rutgers University.

He died on March 22, 1969 while visiting friends in Schenectady, N.Y. Fr. Clarence was 49 years old, a professed friar for 25 years and a priest for 20 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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Clarence Groff, OFM

Clarence Groff

1920 – 1969

Fr. Clarence Groff, OFM, was born Jan. 14, 1920 in Philadelphia. After graduation from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., he was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1942, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1946 and was ordained in 1948.

As a young priest, Fr. Clarence was first assigned to Bishop Timon High School, Buffalo, N.Y. He then spent seven years at St. Catherine’s Parish, Clarksville, Va., where he served as pastor and praeses. For the rest of his active life, Fr. Clarence served with the Western Mission Band out of St. Elizabeth Friary in Denver, then with the Eastern Mission Band at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston and at Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y.

Fr. Clarence devoted much time and energy working with men and women of the Alcoholics Anonymous program. Just before his death, he had made plans to study alcoholism at Rutgers University.

He died on March 22, 1969 while visiting friends in Schenectady, N.Y. Fr. Clarence was 49 years old, a professed friar for 25 years and a priest for 20 years.