Deceased Friars

Julian Deeken, OFM

Julian Deeken

1928 – 1991

Fr. Julian Deeken, OFM, was born in Carlstadt, N.J., on Dec. 21, 1928. After graduating from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., he entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., Aug. 12, 1948.

He professed temporary vows Aug. 13, 1949, and made his profession of solemn vows on Sept. 17, 1952. Fr. Julian was ordained a priest Sept. 8, 1954.

After ordination, Fr. Julian went to St. Pius X School of Liturgical Music where he received a bachelor of sacred music degree. For the next 11 years, he taught at St. Francis College in Rye Beach, N.H., and at Christ the King Seminary in Allegany, N.Y.

In 1967, he was assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City as an associate, and served as Vicar from 1982 to 1985. Fr. Julian became a chaplain for the New York Fire Department in 1981, a ministry he loved with a passion. He was cited by the Fire Department for “outstanding service, timeless devotion and dedication to the spiritual needs of the firefighters by continually responding with sensitivity and compassion, whether in the fire house or at the scene.”

Fr. Julian died in St. Mary’s Hospital, West Palm Beach, Fla., while he was with his family on June 23, 1991. He was 62 years old, a professed friar for 41 years and a priest for 36 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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Julian Deeken, OFM

Julian Deeken

1928 – 1991

Fr. Julian Deeken, OFM, was born in Carlstadt, N.J., on Dec. 21, 1928. After graduating from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., he entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., Aug. 12, 1948.

He professed temporary vows Aug. 13, 1949, and made his profession of solemn vows on Sept. 17, 1952. Fr. Julian was ordained a priest Sept. 8, 1954.

After ordination, Fr. Julian went to St. Pius X School of Liturgical Music where he received a bachelor of sacred music degree. For the next 11 years, he taught at St. Francis College in Rye Beach, N.H., and at Christ the King Seminary in Allegany, N.Y.

In 1967, he was assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City as an associate, and served as Vicar from 1982 to 1985. Fr. Julian became a chaplain for the New York Fire Department in 1981, a ministry he loved with a passion. He was cited by the Fire Department for “outstanding service, timeless devotion and dedication to the spiritual needs of the firefighters by continually responding with sensitivity and compassion, whether in the fire house or at the scene.”

Fr. Julian died in St. Mary’s Hospital, West Palm Beach, Fla., while he was with his family on June 23, 1991. He was 62 years old, a professed friar for 41 years and a priest for 36 years.