Deceased Friars

Harold Blake, OFM

Harold Blake

1901 – 1973

Fr. Harold Blake, OFM, was born Feb. 22, 1901 in Buffalo, N.Y. He was received into the novitiate in 1921, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1925 and was ordained in 1928.

During his Franciscan life, he held many positions of responsibility within Holy Name Province. Fr. Harold served as a Provincial Councilor, guardian in Paterson, N.J., and was the architect and director of St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, in its earliest days. He raised the funds for the Boston shrine and was responsible for its completion. Fr. Harold’s contagious zeal, his executive abilities and his affability toward the friars and the people of Boston made him a well-known and well-loved friar in the area.

He died on Feb. 20, 1973 at the Provincial infirmary at St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y. Fr. Harold was 71 years old, a professed friar for 50 years and a priest for 44 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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Harold Blake, OFM

Harold Blake

1901 – 1973

Fr. Harold Blake, OFM, was born Feb. 22, 1901 in Buffalo, N.Y. He was received into the novitiate in 1921, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1925 and was ordained in 1928.

During his Franciscan life, he held many positions of responsibility within Holy Name Province. Fr. Harold served as a Provincial Councilor, guardian in Paterson, N.J., and was the architect and director of St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, in its earliest days. He raised the funds for the Boston shrine and was responsible for its completion. Fr. Harold’s contagious zeal, his executive abilities and his affability toward the friars and the people of Boston made him a well-known and well-loved friar in the area.

He died on Feb. 20, 1973 at the Provincial infirmary at St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y. Fr. Harold was 71 years old, a professed friar for 50 years and a priest for 44 years.