WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Andrew Giardino, OFM, 86, a professed Franciscan friar for 60 years and a priest for 54, died on July 30 at St. Mary Home.
A wake and wake service were held on Aug. 3 at St. Patrick-St. Andrew Church in Hartford, where Andrew was stationed at the time of his death. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Aug. 4. Burial took place the following day at Glenwood Cemetery in Geneva, N.Y.
Early Years
Andrew was born Joseph Francis in East Rochester, N.Y., on April 13, 1930 to Dominic and Mary (nee Morabito) Giardino. After graduating from Geneva High School in 1946, he entered St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., where he studied for six years.
Andrew was received into the Order of Friars Minor in 1955 in Lafayette, N.J., and professed first vows there the following year. He studied philosophy at St. Francis College in Rye Beach, N.H., earning a bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, N.Y., in 1958, after which he studied theology at Holy Name College in Washington, D.C., for four years. Andrew professed final vows in 1959 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1962.
Ministry
His first assignment in 1963 was to St. Anthony Shrine in Boston, where he served as assistant treasurer and then treasurer for seven years. In 1970, he relocated to Providence, R.I., where he was guardian and rector at St. Francis Chapel for an additional seven years. After he was named coordinator of personnel for Holy Name Province in 1977, he was assigned to St. Francis Friary in New York City where he lived for two years.
Returning to Boston in 1979, Andrew served as guardian and rector of St. Anthony Shrine for three years. He relocated to New York City in 1982 to serve an additional two years as coordinator of personnel before being assigned to the pastoral team at St. Francis Parish in Wanaque, N.J., in 1985.
Five years later, Andrew was assigned to St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church-Friary in Hartford as parochial vicar and treasurer. He served in that capacity for three years before returning to St. Francis Chapel in 1993, where he was guardian and rector for two years, before returning to St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church in 1995. He remained there as parochial vicar and treasurer for 21 years.
In addition to these assignments, Andrew served on the Provincial Council from 1976 to 1985. He was general visitor to Immaculate Conception Province in 2000.
He is survived by a sister, Marie Combs, and brother, Dominic Giardino, both of Geneva, N.Y., and a brother, Anthony Giardino, of Seneca Falls, N.Y.
Memorial donations may be sent to Franciscan Friars — Holy Name Province, 144 West 32nd St., New York, NY 10001-3202.
— Compiled by Carolyn Croke and Maria Hayes
Related Links
- “Friar Who Helped Bring Urban Ministry to Downtown Hartford Dies at 86” – Aug. 3, 2016, Hartford Courant
- “Franciscan Presence in Hartford Commemorated with Mass, Block Party” — Nov. 12, 2015, HNP Today
- “Franciscan Influences: Lessons of Hope, Hospitality, Service” — Aug. 15, 2012, HNP Today