Patrick M. Brown, OFM

1927 – 2004

Fr. Patrick Brown, OFM, was born on March 8, 1927 in Johnson City, N.Y., and baptized Kenneth. After serving two years in the United States Army, he entered St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., in 1949. He was received into the Order at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1952 and given the religious name Patrick. He professed temporary vows one year later, made his solemn profession in 1956 and was ordained in 1959.

His first assignment was to Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., where he served as a religious studies professor and, later, became chairperson for religious studies. In 1971, Fr. Patrick served as director of the pastoral care department at St. Francis Hospital in Miami, Fla. He was assigned to Queen of Peace Parish in West Milford, N.J., in 1986, where he ministered for the next four years.

In 1991, Fr. Patrick went to the Hazeldon Foundation in Minnesota, where he was accepted into the Counseling Training Program. He moved to St. Anthony Friary in Butler, N.J., and served as a counselor at the Van Ost Institute. In 1993, Fr. Patrick became a staff member of St. Mary’s Counseling Services in Pompton Lakes, N.J., where he served for nine years. In 2004, he transferred to Holy Name Friary, Ringwood, N.J.

He died there on March 30, 2004. Fr. Patrick was 77 years old, a professed friar for 50 years and a priest for 44 years.