Deceased Friars
Francis Doughaen, OFM

1903 – 1970
Fr. Francis Doughaen, OFM, was born on Feb. 4, 1903 in Paterson, N.J., and was baptized at St. Bonaventure Church. He studied in the parish school and attended St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., on Aug. 5, 1926 and professed temporary vows one year later. Fr. Francis made his solemn profession in 1930 and was ordained in 1933.
His first assignment was to St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., as a lector and procurator. Later, while living at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, Fr. Francis became director of The Franciscan and assistant director of St. Anthony’s Guild from 1937 to 1953. During his 16 years at St. Anthony’s Guild, Fr. Francis was devoted to the promotion and expansion of the program of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine throughout the United States.
He returned to St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary as vice-rector, procurator, lector and pastor of the Yulan, N.Y., mission church. In 1954, he became pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Rochelle Park, N.J., where he built a church and friary. In 1961, Fr. Francis was assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New York City. As a pastor, Fr. Francis was dedicated and self-giving, a friar who loved his people.
He died on Oct. 12, 1970 in St. Clare’s Hospital, New York City. Fr. Francis was 67 years old, a professed friar for 43 years and a priest for 37 years.