Deceased Friars


Nicholas Tinney, OFM

Nicholas Tinney

1918 – 1978

Fr. Nicholas Tinney, OFM, was born on May 28, 1918 in Philadelphia. He entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1938, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1942 and was ordained in 1944.

From the outset of his ministry, Fr. Nicholas wanted to be a missionary. In 1945, he volunteered to serve at the mission in Mexico. After three years, he returned to the Province and taught at Bishop Timon High School in Buffalo, N.Y., from 1948 to 1954. Fr. Nicholas then joined the Province’s Mission Band and preached parish missions and retreats for 12 years, residing in Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.

In 1967, he began ministering as an assistant at Holy Cross Parish in the Bronx, N.Y. Three years later, he became chaplain at St. Bernadette’s Hope in Philadelphia, where he served for six years. In 1976, Fr. Nicholas returned to the ministry that he loved, preaching with the Mission Band. His quiet humor and joy in pilgrimages to various shrines of Our Lady marked his life as a friar.

He died on Dec. 20, 1978 in Darby, Pa. Fr. Nicholas was 60 years old, a professed friar for 39 years and a priest for 34 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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Nicholas Tinney, OFM

Nicholas Tinney

1918 – 1978

Fr. Nicholas Tinney, OFM, was born on May 28, 1918 in Philadelphia. He entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1938, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1942 and was ordained in 1944.

From the outset of his ministry, Fr. Nicholas wanted to be a missionary. In 1945, he volunteered to serve at the mission in Mexico. After three years, he returned to the Province and taught at Bishop Timon High School in Buffalo, N.Y., from 1948 to 1954. Fr. Nicholas then joined the Province’s Mission Band and preached parish missions and retreats for 12 years, residing in Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.

In 1967, he began ministering as an assistant at Holy Cross Parish in the Bronx, N.Y. Three years later, he became chaplain at St. Bernadette’s Hope in Philadelphia, where he served for six years. In 1976, Fr. Nicholas returned to the ministry that he loved, preaching with the Mission Band. His quiet humor and joy in pilgrimages to various shrines of Our Lady marked his life as a friar.

He died on Dec. 20, 1978 in Darby, Pa. Fr. Nicholas was 60 years old, a professed friar for 39 years and a priest for 34 years.