Deceased Friars

Nicholas O'Brien, OFM

Nicholas O’Brien

1907 – 1983

Fr. Nicholas O’Brien, OFM, was born in Jersey City, N.J., on June 19, 1907. After graduating from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., he entered the Province’s novitiate Aug. 25, 1926, in Paterson, N.J., and professed temporary vows a year later.

When his temporary vows expired, he left the friars and worked as a linesman for the New Jersey Telephone Company. He again entered the novitiate in Paterson on Aug. 25, 1932, and professed temporary vows Aug. 26, 1933. Fr. Nicholas made his profession of solemn vows May 29, 1936, and was ordained a priest June 9, 1936.

After ordination, Fr. Nicholas went to Columbia University, where he received his master’s degree in classical languages. After one year at St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, N.Y., he was assigned to Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., and for the next 28 years Fr. Nicholas taught Latin, Greek and their literature at Siena.

In 1966, he was transferred to St. Francis Chapel in Providence, R.I., for two years, and in 1968, he moved to St. Anthony’s Friary in Butler, N.J., as an auxiliary. For the next 11 years, Fr. Nicholas assisted at diocesan parishes in Livingston, N.J., and Tuckerton, N.J.

In 1982, he moved to St. Anthony’s Friary in St. Petersburg, Fla., where he died June 7, 1983. Fr. Nicholas was an energetic friar of deep faith who encouraged many young men to become priests. He was nearly 76 years old, a professed friar for 49 years and a priest for 47 years, less two days.

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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Nicholas O'Brien, OFM

Nicholas O’Brien

1907 – 1983

Fr. Nicholas O’Brien, OFM, was born in Jersey City, N.J., on June 19, 1907. After graduating from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., he entered the Province’s novitiate Aug. 25, 1926, in Paterson, N.J., and professed temporary vows a year later.

When his temporary vows expired, he left the friars and worked as a linesman for the New Jersey Telephone Company. He again entered the novitiate in Paterson on Aug. 25, 1932, and professed temporary vows Aug. 26, 1933. Fr. Nicholas made his profession of solemn vows May 29, 1936, and was ordained a priest June 9, 1936.

After ordination, Fr. Nicholas went to Columbia University, where he received his master’s degree in classical languages. After one year at St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, N.Y., he was assigned to Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., and for the next 28 years Fr. Nicholas taught Latin, Greek and their literature at Siena.

In 1966, he was transferred to St. Francis Chapel in Providence, R.I., for two years, and in 1968, he moved to St. Anthony’s Friary in Butler, N.J., as an auxiliary. For the next 11 years, Fr. Nicholas assisted at diocesan parishes in Livingston, N.J., and Tuckerton, N.J.

In 1982, he moved to St. Anthony’s Friary in St. Petersburg, Fla., where he died June 7, 1983. Fr. Nicholas was an energetic friar of deep faith who encouraged many young men to become priests. He was nearly 76 years old, a professed friar for 49 years and a priest for 47 years, less two days.