RINGWOOD, N.J. — Cyril Seaman, OFM, 83, a professed Franciscan friar for 61 years and a priest for 56, died Nov. 8 at Holy Name Friary.
Early Years
Cyril was born Sept. 24, 1929, to Andrew and Elizabeth Seaman. The Kansas City, Kan., native was baptized with the name Edward. After graduating from Ward High School in Kansas City, he enrolled in St. Joseph’s Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., where he studied from 1947 to 1950.
He was received into the Order on Aug. 12, 1950, at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., receiving the name Cyril. He professed first vows there on Aug. 13, 1951, before studying philosophy and theology at St. Stephen Friary in Croghan, N.Y., St. Anthony Friary in Butler, N.J., and Holy Name College in Washington, D.C.
He professed final vows on Sept. 13, 1954 at Christ the King Seminary in Allegany, N.Y., and was ordained to the priesthood on June 11, 1956, at Mount St. Sepulchre in Washington, D.C.
Ministry
From 1957 to 1958, Cyril was assigned to St. Anthony Shrine in Boston, where he participated in the “fifth year” pastoral theology program.
He spent the next 26 years at Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., where he taught English for the first five years. During the 1962-63 academic year, he lived at Holy Name College, where he earned his master’s in library science from the Catholic University of America. Upon his return to Siena College, he served as reference librarian.
Cyril returned to St. Anthony Shrine in 1984 and served as pastoral associate there until his retirement in 2005. He stayed at St. Anthony Residence until he was transferred to Holy Name Friary in March 2011.
A wake was held November 12, and a Mass of Christian Burial was held November 13 at St. Mary of the Angels Chapel in Loudonville. William Beaudin, OFM, was principal celebrant. Interment followed at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, N.Y.
Cyril is survived by his sister, Anne Smith; sister-in-law, Florence Seaman of Kansas City, Kan.; and several nieces and nephews. Condolences may be sent to: Anne Smith, 2919 Randolph Street, NE, Apt. 307, Minneapolis, MN, 55418.
Memorial donations may be sent to: Holy Name Province Office of Development, 144 W 32nd Street, New York, NY, 10001-3203.
— Compiled by Theresa Bartha