Deceased Friars


Thomas Giblin, OFM

Thomas Giblin

1913 – 1986

Fr. Thomas Giblin, OFM, was born in Albany, N.Y., on Sept. 11, 1913. After one year at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., he entered the Province’s novitiate in 1931 at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J.

In 1932, he professed his temporary vows and made his profession of solemn vows in 1935. Fr. Thomas was ordained a priest in 1938 in Washington, D.C.

After ordination, Fr. Thomas went to Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., where he taught religion for four years before being appointed to serve as treasurer of the college and friary, a role he filled for 13 years.

He spent periods of time at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City and as pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Pompton Lakes, N.J. Fr. Tom spent six years in the south, serving three in Thomasville, Ga., and three as pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Atlanta. From 1973 to 1976, he was guardian of St. Anthony’s Friary in Butler, N.J., and then went to St. Stephen of Hungary Parish in New York City. Fr. Tom then returned to Atlanta to serve as pastor and guardian and establish St. Francis Table to feed the poor.

Ill health eventually forced him to return north. Fr. Tom was a cheerful, dependable and faithful friar who served Holy Name Province well.

He died Aug. 27, 1986, in Warwick, N.Y. Fr. Tom was 72 years old, a professed friar for 54 years and a priest for 48 years. He was the older brother of Fr. Berard Giblin, OFM.

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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Thomas Giblin, OFM

Thomas Giblin

1913 – 1986

Fr. Thomas Giblin, OFM, was born in Albany, N.Y., on Sept. 11, 1913. After one year at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., he entered the Province’s novitiate in 1931 at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J.

In 1932, he professed his temporary vows and made his profession of solemn vows in 1935. Fr. Thomas was ordained a priest in 1938 in Washington, D.C.

After ordination, Fr. Thomas went to Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., where he taught religion for four years before being appointed to serve as treasurer of the college and friary, a role he filled for 13 years.

He spent periods of time at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City and as pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Pompton Lakes, N.J. Fr. Tom spent six years in the south, serving three in Thomasville, Ga., and three as pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Atlanta. From 1973 to 1976, he was guardian of St. Anthony’s Friary in Butler, N.J., and then went to St. Stephen of Hungary Parish in New York City. Fr. Tom then returned to Atlanta to serve as pastor and guardian and establish St. Francis Table to feed the poor.

Ill health eventually forced him to return north. Fr. Tom was a cheerful, dependable and faithful friar who served Holy Name Province well.

He died Aug. 27, 1986, in Warwick, N.Y. Fr. Tom was 72 years old, a professed friar for 54 years and a priest for 48 years. He was the older brother of Fr. Berard Giblin, OFM.