Deceased Friars


Felician A. Foy, OFM

Felician A. Foy

1918 – 2002

Fr. Felician Foy, OFM, was born June 7, 1918 in Philadelphia and baptized Fredrick. After working for Western Union for one year, he enrolled at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1941, professing temporary vows one year later. Fr. Felician made his solemn profession in 1945 and was ordained in 1947.

His first assignment was to Bishop Timon High School, Buffalo, N.Y., where he taught English and religion until 1952. He then moved to St. Anthony’s Guild, where he became editor of the Catholic Almanac, a life-long ministry. In 1955, he founded the St. John Vianney Fraternity of Secular Franciscans and became its spiritual assistant.

During the 1960s, Fr. Felician served as chaplain of the Benedictine Academy, Elizabeth, N.J. From 1972 to 1983, he was chaplain to prisoners and personnel of Passaic County, N.J., Jail. For the next 12 years, Fr. Felician edited the Almanac at Sacred Heart Friary, East Rutherford, N.J.

He died on Feb. 21, 2002 at St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center in Paterson. Fr. Felician was 83 years old, a professed friar for 59 years and a priest for 54 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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Felician A. Foy, OFM

Felician A. Foy

1918 – 2002

Fr. Felician Foy, OFM, was born June 7, 1918 in Philadelphia and baptized Fredrick. After working for Western Union for one year, he enrolled at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1941, professing temporary vows one year later. Fr. Felician made his solemn profession in 1945 and was ordained in 1947.

His first assignment was to Bishop Timon High School, Buffalo, N.Y., where he taught English and religion until 1952. He then moved to St. Anthony’s Guild, where he became editor of the Catholic Almanac, a life-long ministry. In 1955, he founded the St. John Vianney Fraternity of Secular Franciscans and became its spiritual assistant.

During the 1960s, Fr. Felician served as chaplain of the Benedictine Academy, Elizabeth, N.J. From 1972 to 1983, he was chaplain to prisoners and personnel of Passaic County, N.J., Jail. For the next 12 years, Fr. Felician edited the Almanac at Sacred Heart Friary, East Rutherford, N.J.

He died on Feb. 21, 2002 at St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center in Paterson. Fr. Felician was 83 years old, a professed friar for 59 years and a priest for 54 years.