Paul Power, OFM

1912 – 1987

Fr. Paul Power, OFM, was born Aug. 15, 1912 in Lockport, N.Y. Before entering the Order, he worked in a furniture factory and then as a steeplejack. He entered St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., in 1933 and was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1938. He professed temporary vows one year later, made his solemn profession in 1942 and was ordained in 1944.

After ordination, Fr. Paul was assigned to Paterson, where he worked with the Secular Franciscans. When St. Anthony Shrine opened in Boston, Fr. Paul was appointed vice-rector. After St. Francis Chapel, Providence, R.I., opened in 1956, Fr. Paul was sent there to guide its early beginnings as rector and praeses. He served as guardian from 1956 to 1961, and was then assigned as guardian in Thomasville, Ga.

In 1965, Fr. Paul went to Holy Cross Parish in the Bronx, N.Y., and three years later, returned to Providence, where he ministered for nearly 20 years. Fr. Paul was an apostolic friar, a kindly confessor and a friend to the countless poor he encountered.

He died April 24, 1987 in Warwick, N.Y. Fr. Paul was 74 years old, a professed friar for 47 years and a priest for 42 years.