Deceased Friars

Winifred McCarthy, OFM

Winifred McCarthy

1905 – 1977

Fr. Winifred McCarthy, OFM, was born on Oct. 29, 1905 in Philadelphia. After completing his studies at St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., he entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1924. He professed temporary vows one year later and made his solemn profession in 1928. Fr. Winifred was ordained in 1931. He was a member of the first class to complete theology studies at Holy Name College in Washington.

His teaching career began at St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in 1932. Fr. Winifred taught Latin and Greek to the seminarians until 1939, when he transferred to St. Bonaventure College, Allegany, N.Y. He taught classical languages until 1941 and then began his graduate studies at Columbia University in New York City.

One year later, Fr. Winifred became an Army chaplain. During World War II, he participated in the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He remained with his unit for 10 months as it spearheaded the Allied drive into the Rhineland.

After leaving the army in 1946, Fr. Winifred served as secretary to the General Visitor and was appointed guardian of St. Patrick Friary, Buffalo, N.Y. In 1949, he returned to St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, N.Y., and taught at the school for the next 12 years while caring for St. John’s Parish in Vandalia, N.Y. In 1961, Fr. Winifred retired from the classroom and ministered at St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, for a year before moving to St. Mary’s Church in Providence, R.I., where he ministered as a compassionate confessor until 1972.

Fr. Winifred was a warm and friendly friar whose presence was always appreciated by his brothers.

He died on Oct. 12, 1977 at the Provincial infirmary in Allegany. He was almost 72 years old, a professed friar for 52 years and a priest for 46 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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Winifred McCarthy, OFM

Winifred McCarthy

1905 – 1977

Fr. Winifred McCarthy, OFM, was born on Oct. 29, 1905 in Philadelphia. After completing his studies at St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., he entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1924. He professed temporary vows one year later and made his solemn profession in 1928. Fr. Winifred was ordained in 1931. He was a member of the first class to complete theology studies at Holy Name College in Washington.

His teaching career began at St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in 1932. Fr. Winifred taught Latin and Greek to the seminarians until 1939, when he transferred to St. Bonaventure College, Allegany, N.Y. He taught classical languages until 1941 and then began his graduate studies at Columbia University in New York City.

One year later, Fr. Winifred became an Army chaplain. During World War II, he participated in the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He remained with his unit for 10 months as it spearheaded the Allied drive into the Rhineland.

After leaving the army in 1946, Fr. Winifred served as secretary to the General Visitor and was appointed guardian of St. Patrick Friary, Buffalo, N.Y. In 1949, he returned to St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, N.Y., and taught at the school for the next 12 years while caring for St. John’s Parish in Vandalia, N.Y. In 1961, Fr. Winifred retired from the classroom and ministered at St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, for a year before moving to St. Mary’s Church in Providence, R.I., where he ministered as a compassionate confessor until 1972.

Fr. Winifred was a warm and friendly friar whose presence was always appreciated by his brothers.

He died on Oct. 12, 1977 at the Provincial infirmary in Allegany. He was almost 72 years old, a professed friar for 52 years and a priest for 46 years.