Deceased Friars

Thomas Potocki, OFM

Thomas Potocki

1891 – 1981

Br. Michael Thomas Potocki, OFM, was born March 30, 1891 in Glemboki, Poland. In 1906, he emigrated to the United States and joined his brother, who was working in Utica, N.Y. He served in the Army during World War I, repairing bridges and building roads. After the war, Br. Thomas settled in Boston and earned his engineer’s license. He married Sophie Topolski, whom he had known in Poland, and they raised three children. She died in 1951.

Three years later, he entered the Order and was professed as a tertiary brother in 1955. For the next 25 years, Br. Thomas served at St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, taking up countless collections and caring for the sacristy. In 1980, he transferred to the Provincial infirmary at St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y.

He died on Jan. 24, 1981. Br. Thomas was 89 years old, a professed friar for 25 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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Thomas Potocki, OFM

Thomas Potocki

1891 – 1981

Br. Michael Thomas Potocki, OFM, was born March 30, 1891 in Glemboki, Poland. In 1906, he emigrated to the United States and joined his brother, who was working in Utica, N.Y. He served in the Army during World War I, repairing bridges and building roads. After the war, Br. Thomas settled in Boston and earned his engineer’s license. He married Sophie Topolski, whom he had known in Poland, and they raised three children. She died in 1951.

Three years later, he entered the Order and was professed as a tertiary brother in 1955. For the next 25 years, Br. Thomas served at St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, taking up countless collections and caring for the sacristy. In 1980, he transferred to the Provincial infirmary at St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y.

He died on Jan. 24, 1981. Br. Thomas was 89 years old, a professed friar for 25 years.