Deceased Friars

Cronan Mullen, OFM

Cronan Mullen

1905 – 1980

Fr. Cronan Mullen, OFM, was born on Aug. 1, 1905 in New York City. After graduating from high school, he worked as a draftsman until he entered Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute from which he received his electrical engineer’s degree in 1930. He pursued post-graduate research at the General Electric Large Motor Division in Schenectady, N.Y. He then when to St. Bonaventure College, Allegany, N.Y., where he taught science and math for two years.

He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1935 and professed temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession and was ordained in 1939.

Fr. Cronan was assigned to Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., where he became head of the physics department and chairman of the science division in 1944. He was an able administrator and an excellent professor who helped set the academic standards of the college and strengthened the curriculum during his 13 years at Siena. He also served as director maintenance.

After leaving Siena, he took over the maintenance and repair of Holy Name College in Washington, as well as serving as procurator. In 1961, he went to St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., where he taught science. After six years, he returned to St. Bonaventure University to teach. For five years. Fr. Cronan ministered at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New York City before retiring to Siena College, where he lived for seven years.

He died on Nov. 25, 1980 at the Provincial infirmary at St. Bonaventure University. Fr. Cronan was 75 years old, a professed friar for 44 years and a priest for 41 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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Cronan Mullen, OFM

Cronan Mullen

1905 – 1980

Fr. Cronan Mullen, OFM, was born on Aug. 1, 1905 in New York City. After graduating from high school, he worked as a draftsman until he entered Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute from which he received his electrical engineer’s degree in 1930. He pursued post-graduate research at the General Electric Large Motor Division in Schenectady, N.Y. He then when to St. Bonaventure College, Allegany, N.Y., where he taught science and math for two years.

He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1935 and professed temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession and was ordained in 1939.

Fr. Cronan was assigned to Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., where he became head of the physics department and chairman of the science division in 1944. He was an able administrator and an excellent professor who helped set the academic standards of the college and strengthened the curriculum during his 13 years at Siena. He also served as director maintenance.

After leaving Siena, he took over the maintenance and repair of Holy Name College in Washington, as well as serving as procurator. In 1961, he went to St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., where he taught science. After six years, he returned to St. Bonaventure University to teach. For five years. Fr. Cronan ministered at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New York City before retiring to Siena College, where he lived for seven years.

He died on Nov. 25, 1980 at the Provincial infirmary at St. Bonaventure University. Fr. Cronan was 75 years old, a professed friar for 44 years and a priest for 41 years.