Deceased Friars

Crispin M Maguire, OFM

Crispin M. Maguire

1928 – 1996

Fr. Crispin Maguire, OFM, was born on Oct. 13, 1928 in New Britain, Conn. He entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1951, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession and was ordained in 1955.

His first assignment was to St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y., where he served for four years before attending Yale University, where he was awarded a master of fine arts degree in 1964. While he spent three years at St. Francis College, Rye Beach, N.H., six years as pastor of Our Lady of the Angels, Little Falls, N.J., and two years as vicar at St. Francis Friary, New York City, Fr. Crispin always gloried in his 16 years at St. Bonaventure. He taught drama, produced and staged theatrical productions, acted, and at various times, served as executive vice president, vice president for student affairs and vice president for development at the university.

In 1978, Fr. Crispin became the first U.S. Franciscan to run for national office, when he ran on the Republican ticket to be a representative to Congress from the 39th district, representing all of Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties in New York. Though he received 56,431 votes, he was defeated by Democrat Stanley Lundine.

He died on Dec. 28, 1996 from asphyxiation during a fire in his room at St. Anthony Friary, St. Petersburg, Fla. Fr. Crispin was 68 years old, a professed friar for 44 years and a priest for 41 years. He was the younger brother of Fr. Alban Maguire, OFM.

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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Crispin M Maguire, OFM

Crispin M. Maguire

1928 – 1996

Fr. Crispin Maguire, OFM, was born on Oct. 13, 1928 in New Britain, Conn. He entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1951, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession and was ordained in 1955.

His first assignment was to St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y., where he served for four years before attending Yale University, where he was awarded a master of fine arts degree in 1964. While he spent three years at St. Francis College, Rye Beach, N.H., six years as pastor of Our Lady of the Angels, Little Falls, N.J., and two years as vicar at St. Francis Friary, New York City, Fr. Crispin always gloried in his 16 years at St. Bonaventure. He taught drama, produced and staged theatrical productions, acted, and at various times, served as executive vice president, vice president for student affairs and vice president for development at the university.

In 1978, Fr. Crispin became the first U.S. Franciscan to run for national office, when he ran on the Republican ticket to be a representative to Congress from the 39th district, representing all of Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties in New York. Though he received 56,431 votes, he was defeated by Democrat Stanley Lundine.

He died on Dec. 28, 1996 from asphyxiation during a fire in his room at St. Anthony Friary, St. Petersburg, Fla. Fr. Crispin was 68 years old, a professed friar for 44 years and a priest for 41 years. He was the younger brother of Fr. Alban Maguire, OFM.