Deaths in Franciscan Communities

The Province is mourning the recent passing of five friars and two Franciscan sisters.

Sr. Bonaventure MacDonald, OSF, 91, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, N.Y., died Sept. 24 in Olean, N.Y.

Two members of Immaculate Conception Province have died: Br. Mark William Brown, OFM, 79, on Oct. 7 in Clearwater Beach, Fla., and Fr. Louis Diego De Tommaso, OFM, 89, died Oct. 31 in New York City.

Sr. M. Kevin Dillon, FMSC, 96, a member of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, based in Peekskill, N.Y., died on Oct. 27.

Fr. Robert Young, OFM, 68, of St. Barbara Province, died Nov. 5 in St. Petersburg, Fla. He had lived at St. Anthony Friary.

Sr. Rose Marie Eichner, OSF, 75, died in Aston, Pa., on Nov. 6. She was a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 54 years.

Two members of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Province have died. Fr. Gerald Gordon, TOR, 76, died on Nov. 10 in Hollidaysburg, Pa., and Fr. Alex Bombera, TOR, 98, died Nov. 16 in Loretto, Pa. Fr. Gerald was the first Third Order Regular member to receive a master of arts degree in Franciscan Studies from the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University.

Editor’s note: Each month, HNP Today publishes news of the deaths of Franciscan brothers, priests, and sisters. Information should be emailed to the HNP Communications Office. Announcements about deaths of friars of OFM provinces of the United States can also be found on the USFranciscans website.