Deceased Friars

Edmund Wagner, OFM

Edmund Wagner

1902 – 1979

Br. Edmund Wagner, OFM, was born in Little Falls, N.Y., on Aug. 30, 1902. After high school, Br. Edmund worked with youth as a scoutmaster and a salesman, and he enjoyed taking part in amateur musical comedy shows.

He entered the Province’s novitiate Aug. 12, 1935, at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., and professed temporary vows Aug. 13, 1936. On Sept. 17, 1939, he made his solemn profession of vows.

For 18 years, Edmund served as a cook at St. Stephen’s Friary in New York City and St. Anthony’s Friary in Butler, N.J. The rest of his years were spent doing maintenance work, 11 years at St. Elizabeth’s Friary in Denver, and 14 years at Bishop Timon High School in Buffalo, N.Y.

Br. Edmund’s willingness to help and support the friars in their work had no limits. His energy and enthusiasm were remarkable, and he sustained both throughout his entire Franciscan life. His love for people made his practice of visiting the sick and waking the dead legendary in South Buffalo.

He loved being a Franciscan, and his warmth, humor and deep faith brought joy to all who knew him. Br. Edmund died June 7, 1979, at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo. He was 76 years old and a professed friar for 42 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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Edmund Wagner, OFM

Edmund Wagner

1902 – 1979

Br. Edmund Wagner, OFM, was born in Little Falls, N.Y., on Aug. 30, 1902. After high school, Br. Edmund worked with youth as a scoutmaster and a salesman, and he enjoyed taking part in amateur musical comedy shows.

He entered the Province’s novitiate Aug. 12, 1935, at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., and professed temporary vows Aug. 13, 1936. On Sept. 17, 1939, he made his solemn profession of vows.

For 18 years, Edmund served as a cook at St. Stephen’s Friary in New York City and St. Anthony’s Friary in Butler, N.J. The rest of his years were spent doing maintenance work, 11 years at St. Elizabeth’s Friary in Denver, and 14 years at Bishop Timon High School in Buffalo, N.Y.

Br. Edmund’s willingness to help and support the friars in their work had no limits. His energy and enthusiasm were remarkable, and he sustained both throughout his entire Franciscan life. His love for people made his practice of visiting the sick and waking the dead legendary in South Buffalo.

He loved being a Franciscan, and his warmth, humor and deep faith brought joy to all who knew him. Br. Edmund died June 7, 1979, at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo. He was 76 years old and a professed friar for 42 years.