Deceased Friars

Reginald Balimann, OFM

Reginald Balimann

1907 – 1995

Fr. Reginald Baliman, OFM, was born Aug. 17, 1907 in Clifton, N.J., and christened George. From 1920 to 1925, he studied at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1925, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1929 and was ordained in 1932.

His first assignment was to St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, where he served as teacher, prefect of discipline and vice rector during his 16 years there. Fr. Reginald went to St. Stephen Friary, Croghan, N.Y., for four years and to St. Francis Friary, Rye Beach, N.H., for two years as master of clerics. He then served as vicar and assistant novice master at St. Raphael Friary, Lafayette, N.J., for three years. From 1958 to 1964, Fr. Reginald served as guardian and pastor of St. Stephen Parish. In 1964, he was assigned to St. Joseph Parish, Winsted, Conn., where he ministered as associate pastor for 25 years.

He had boundless energy into his 80s and retired to St. Anthony Friary, Butler, N.J., in 1990 after a fall that had resulted in a broken hip. Fr. Reginald was beloved in Winsted, where his dedication to the Boy Scouts earned him the Golden Pelican Award, the first priest to ever be so honored.

He died on Feb. 1, 1995 at St. Clare’s Hospital in Denville, N.J. Fr. Reginald was 87 years old, a professed friar for 68 years and a priest for 62 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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Reginald Balimann, OFM

Reginald Balimann

1907 – 1995

Fr. Reginald Baliman, OFM, was born Aug. 17, 1907 in Clifton, N.J., and christened George. From 1920 to 1925, he studied at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1925, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1929 and was ordained in 1932.

His first assignment was to St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, where he served as teacher, prefect of discipline and vice rector during his 16 years there. Fr. Reginald went to St. Stephen Friary, Croghan, N.Y., for four years and to St. Francis Friary, Rye Beach, N.H., for two years as master of clerics. He then served as vicar and assistant novice master at St. Raphael Friary, Lafayette, N.J., for three years. From 1958 to 1964, Fr. Reginald served as guardian and pastor of St. Stephen Parish. In 1964, he was assigned to St. Joseph Parish, Winsted, Conn., where he ministered as associate pastor for 25 years.

He had boundless energy into his 80s and retired to St. Anthony Friary, Butler, N.J., in 1990 after a fall that had resulted in a broken hip. Fr. Reginald was beloved in Winsted, where his dedication to the Boy Scouts earned him the Golden Pelican Award, the first priest to ever be so honored.

He died on Feb. 1, 1995 at St. Clare’s Hospital in Denville, N.J. Fr. Reginald was 87 years old, a professed friar for 68 years and a priest for 62 years.