RINGWOOD, N.J. — Funeral services were held last week for Laurence Rainville, OFM, 89, who died April 13 at Holy Name Friary here. A professed Franciscan friar for nearly 67 years and a priest for 61, he served for more than 55 years at Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., where he founded the computer science department.
Kevin Mullen, OFM, president of Siena, celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial April 17 at St. Mary of the Angels Chapel on Siena’s campus.
Early Years
Laurence was born June 8, 1919, in Hudson Falls, N.Y., to Orville and Mary Rainville. He was baptized Bernard on June 22 at St. Paul’s Church, Hudson Falls. He attended St. Joseph, Schenectady, N.Y., for grammar and high school, graduating in 1938.
He was received into the Order of Friars Minor in Holy Name Province on Aug. 12, 1941, at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., and given the name Laurence. He professed his first vows there Aug. 13, 1942, before Mathias Faust, OFM.
He pursued studies in philosophy at St. Stephen’s Friary in Croghan, N.Y., and St. Anthony Friary in Butler, N.J. He studied theology at Holy Name College in Washington, D.C., where he professed his final vows on Sept. 17, 1945, before Bertrand Campbell, OFM. He was ordained to the priesthood June 14, 1947, by Archbishop Amleto Cicognani, apostolic delegate to the United States, at the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, D.C.
Ministry
Upon completion of theological studies, Laurence served as assistant at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston in 1948. He then joined the faculty of Siena College as an instructor and then assistant professor of math and physics. From 1978 to 1982, he served as director of computer science there.
Laurence accepted an invitation to teach at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, from 1982 to 1983. Upon completion of his sabbatical year, he returned to the computer science department at Siena. He retired from full-time teaching in 1989, becoming professor emeritus, and moved to Holy Name Friary in March 2006.
Funeral Services
Wakes were held April 15 and 16 at Holy Name Friary and St. Mary of the Angels Chapel, respectively. Interment followed the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, N.Y.
Laurence is survived by his sister, Anne Bogdan of Schenectady, niece Susan Bogdan Ritty, sister-in-law Margaret Rainville of Schenectady, and cousin John Rainville of Troy, N.Y. Condolences may be sent to Anne Bogdan.