Gordon Krahe, OFM

1913 – 1984

Fr. Gordon Krahe, OFM, was born in Ford City, Pa., on Nov. 22, 1913. He entered the Capuchin novitiate in 1933, but when he and Fr. Brian Lhota, OFM, learned becoming a Capuchin meant growing a beard, they applied to Holy Name Province.

He was received into the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., Aug. 29, 1934, and professed temporary vows Aug. 31, 1935. Fr. Gordon made his profession of solemn vows Sept. 17, 1938, and was ordained a priest June 11, 1940.

He served at St. Anthony Church in Asheville, N.C., for three years, in St. Anthony in Greenville, S.C. for five, before being appointed pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Pensacola, Fla.

In 1954, Fr. Gordon was assistant cleric master of St. Anthony Friary in Butler, and in 1955 he was appointed master of clerics and vicar at Holy Name College in Washington, D.C. Three years later he returned to Greenville and remained there as praeses for six years. In 1964, he was appointed regional commissary of the Secular Franciscans for Western New York, with his residence at St. Patrick’s in Buffalo. For 18 years, he served the Secular Franciscans faithfully.

He died in Sisters Hospital in Buffalo on July 25, 1984. He was 70 years old, a professed friar for 48 years and a priest for 44 years.