Francis Azar, OFM

1910 – 1978

Fr. Francis (Cuthbert) Azar, OFM, was born June 24, 1910 in New Haven, Conn. After graduating from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., he entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1937. He professed temporary vows one year later, made his solemn profession in 1941 and was ordained in 1943.

He spent his first five years as a priest at Paterson, where he served as chaplain at the Passaic County Hospital and as vicar from 1946 to 1949. For the next 10 years, Fr. Francis ministered in Boston, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., New York City and Fair Lawn and Beach Haven, N.J. His final 14 years of active ministry were devoted to the southern ministries in Cordele and Montezuma, Ga. He also served as pastor in Pensacola, Fla., until 1974, when the parish was returned to the care of the Diocese of St. Augustine.

He died on April 10, 1978 in St. Petersburg, Fla. Fr. Francis was 67 years old, a professed friar for 39 years and a priest for 34 years.