Joseph Fiscus, OFM

1905 – 1987

Br. Joseph Fiscus, OFM, was born in Brookville, Pa., on March 30, 1905. At age 17, he took over the family farm when his father died. He joined the Army three years later and was sent to California where he first met the Franciscans. After his discharge from the service, he entered the Old Mission of San Luis Rey as a Tertiary Brother.

He entered the novitiate July 6, 1930, and professed temporary vows a year and a day later. He professed solemn vows July 10, 1935.

For many years Br. Joseph served as a cook in Washington State; Ogden, Utah; and in Santa Barbara, Ca., when it was a clericate. He joined Holy Name Province at age 50 and gave as his credentials the fact that he had never missed a day of work in 25 years.

Br. Joe worked as a cook at the novitiate at St. Raphael’s Friary in Lafayette, N.J., and at St. Francis Chapel in Providence, R.I. In 1962, he went to Holy Cross Friary in the Bronx where he fed the friars for 11 years. In 1973, he retired to St. Bonaventure University Friary, Allegany, N.Y., where he did odd jobs for the community.

He was a hardworking man of deep faith his entire life. He was never an idle friar and busied himself making leather goods, caring for the houseplants, running errands and looking after the storeroom and mail. He died at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Warwick, N.Y., May 19, 1987. He was 82 years old and a professed friar for 55 years.