RINGWOOD, N.J. — Capistran Hanlon, OFM, 81, a Franciscan friar for 60 years and a priest for 54, died Feb. 5 at Holy Name Friary.
Wake services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. at Holy Name Friary, and the following day at 7 p.m. at St. Mary of the Angels Chapel at Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. on Feb. 12 at St. Mary of the Angels Chapel, with Provincial Minister Kevin Mullen, OFM, serving as principal celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, N.Y.
Early Years
Born on Aug. 24, 1933 to William and Mae (nee Etzel) Hanlon, Capistran was baptized William at St. Mary’s Church in East Rutherford, N.J. After graduating from the parish high school, he attended St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., from 1951 to 1953.
He was received into the Order of Friars Minor on Aug. 12, 1953 at St. Bonaventure Church in Paterson, N.J., where he professed first vows one year later. After studying philosophy at St. Francis College in Rye Beach, N.H., and theology at Holy Name College in Washington, he professed solemn vows in 1956. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1956 and a master’s in sociology in 1964, both from St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, N.Y.
After his ordination to the priesthood in 1960 at the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, Capistran spent one year of training in pastoral theology at St. Anthony Shrine, Boston.
Ministry
In 1961, Capistran became an instructor in the sociology department at Siena College. After teaching there for four years, he studied anthropology at the University of Colorado in Boulder, earning his master’s and doctorate in that subject. In 1971, he returned to Siena, where he continued teaching in the sociology and social work department for the next 37 years. He was the first to receive an endowed chair at Siena, the Kiskis Chair.
While at Siena, Capistran was involved with several programs in the local community. In addition to weekend ministry at St. Mary’s Church in Albany, he served with the Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation program, the Engaged Encounter Weekend Program and the Marriage Tribunal. He also volunteered as a chaplain with the local law enforcement community, as well as the Albany Division #5 and the Albany County AOH Board. Capistran was an accomplished photographer as well. His work was exhibited at the Yates Gallery at Siena.
Capistran retired in 2008 and moved to Holy Name Friary in April of last year. He is survived by a cousin, Betsy Cannon, of Palm Harbor, Fla.
Memorial donations may be sent to Franciscan Friars-Holy Name Province, 144 W. 32nd St., New York NY 10001.
— Compiled by Carolyn Croke and Maria Hayes