Cordius Kazanchy, OFM

1925 – 2001

Fr. Cordius Kazanchy, OFM, was born on April 28, 1925, in East Rutherford, N.J. In 1951, he enrolled at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y.

He was received into the Province’s novitiate in 1953 at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., and professed temporary vows the following year. In 1957, he professed solemn vows, and was ordained a priest in 1960 in Washington, D.C.

Fr. Cordius spent his first year after ordination at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston, then began his pastoral ministry as parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier in Narrowsburg, N.Y. He then served at Assumption Church in Wood-Ridge, N.J., St. Francis in Wanaque, N.J., and St. Joseph in East Rutherford. He served as pastor of two parishes: St. Bonaventure in Paterson for six years and St. Joseph in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., for three. His service as pastor showed him to be a competent administrator and dedicated spiritual leader who ran a tight ship along traditional lines.

In 1987, Fr. Cordius retired to St. Anthony Friary in Butler, N.J., but remained active in supply ministry to area parishes.

He died Aug. 27, 2001, in Butler. Fr. Cordius was 76 years old, a professed Franciscan for 47 years and a priest for 41 years.