Deceased Friars

Thomas Newman, OFM

Thomas Newman

1945 – 1968

Br. Thomas Newman, OFM, was born in Olean, N.Y., on May 23, 1945. He graduated from Archbishop Walsh High School in Olean and worked in the maintenance department of St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y. Inspired by Br. Ferdinand Woerle, OFM, Br. Thomas entered the Brothers’ Training Program at St. Stephen Friary, Croghan, N.Y., in September 1965.

Ill health prevented Br. Thomas from entering the novitiate with his class, and he was admitted to St. Francis Hospital in Olean. Because of his strong desire to be a friar, he was clothed with the Franciscan habit Aug. 24, 1967, by Fr. James Haggerty, OFM. On Sept. 2, 1967, Br. Thomas professed temporary and solemn vows to Fr. James.

He died in Cleveland May 5, 1968, while awaiting a kidney transplant. He was just shy of 23 years old, and professed only eight months at the time of his death.

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 Newman, OFM

Thomas Newman

1945 – 1968

Br. Thomas Newman, OFM, was born in Olean, N.Y., on May 23, 1945. He graduated from Archbishop Walsh High School in Olean and worked in the maintenance department of St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y. Inspired by Br. Ferdinand Woerle, OFM, Br. Thomas entered the Brothers’ Training Program at St. Stephen Friary, Croghan, N.Y., in September 1965.

Ill health prevented Br. Thomas from entering the novitiate with his class, and he was admitted to St. Francis Hospital in Olean. Because of his strong desire to be a friar, he was clothed with the Franciscan habit Aug. 24, 1967, by Fr. James Haggerty, OFM. On Sept. 2, 1967, Br. Thomas professed temporary and solemn vows to Fr. James.

He died in Cleveland May 5, 1968, while awaiting a kidney transplant. He was just shy of 23 years old, and professed only eight months at the time of his death.