Deceased Friars

Ronan Kristoff, OFM

Ronan Kristoff

1894 – 1962

Fr. Ronan Kristoff, OFM, was born in Etna, Pa., a suburb of Pittsburgh, on April 20, 1894. In 1914, he enrolled at St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, N.Y., and after graduation he entered St. Bonaventure Seminary as a candidate for the Diocese of Kansas City. In 1922, he was ordained a priest and was assigned to the cathedral parish in Kansas City.

In 1927, Fr. Ronan entered the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., and professed temporary vows the following year. After his first profession, he was assigned to St. James’ Church in Totowa, N.J. In 1929, he was chosen as a member of the group that went to teach at Aquinas Institute in Rochester, N.Y. The following year, he was assigned to St. Bonaventure College where he spent three years as a professor. He was also a member of the faculty of St. Francis Summer College in Albuquerque, N.M.

He made his profession of solemn in 1931. In 1933, Fr. Ronan was transferred to St. Joseph’s Parish in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He also did pastoral ministry in East Rutherford, Denver, Clason Point and at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City.

Fr. Ronan’s entire Franciscan life was marked by a quiet humility and fidelity to his pastoral duties. he was blessed with a great sense of humor and abundant laughter. He enjoyed being a friar.

He died Aug. 29, 1962, at St. Clare’s Hospital in New York City. Fr. Ronan was 68 years old, a professed friar for 33 years and a priest for 40 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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Ronan Kristoff, OFM

Ronan Kristoff

1894 – 1962

Fr. Ronan Kristoff, OFM, was born in Etna, Pa., a suburb of Pittsburgh, on April 20, 1894. In 1914, he enrolled at St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, N.Y., and after graduation he entered St. Bonaventure Seminary as a candidate for the Diocese of Kansas City. In 1922, he was ordained a priest and was assigned to the cathedral parish in Kansas City.

In 1927, Fr. Ronan entered the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., and professed temporary vows the following year. After his first profession, he was assigned to St. James’ Church in Totowa, N.J. In 1929, he was chosen as a member of the group that went to teach at Aquinas Institute in Rochester, N.Y. The following year, he was assigned to St. Bonaventure College where he spent three years as a professor. He was also a member of the faculty of St. Francis Summer College in Albuquerque, N.M.

He made his profession of solemn in 1931. In 1933, Fr. Ronan was transferred to St. Joseph’s Parish in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He also did pastoral ministry in East Rutherford, Denver, Clason Point and at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City.

Fr. Ronan’s entire Franciscan life was marked by a quiet humility and fidelity to his pastoral duties. he was blessed with a great sense of humor and abundant laughter. He enjoyed being a friar.

He died Aug. 29, 1962, at St. Clare’s Hospital in New York City. Fr. Ronan was 68 years old, a professed friar for 33 years and a priest for 40 years.