ALBANY, N.Y. — Reginald Reddy, OFM, 84, a professed Franciscan friar for 63 years and a priest for 58, died May 28 at Teresian House in Albany, N.Y. He was a longtime physics professor at nearby Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y.
A wake is scheduled for 2:30 with a wake service at 4 p.m., on May 31 at St. Bernardine of Siena Friary Chapel, on the campus of Siena College, where REginald served for nearly 30 years. Mark Reamer, OFM, will preside at the wake service, with Daniel Dwyer, OFM, serving as homilist. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated by Provincial Minister Kevin Mullen, OFM, at 9 a.m. on June 1 at Siena’s St. Mary of the Angels Chapel, with Julian Davies, OFM, preaching the homily. Reginald was buried at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, N.Y.
Early Years
Reginald was born on July 16, 1934, on Staten Island, N.Y., to Raymond and Edith (née Reardon) Reddy and baptized Kenneth Edward at Sacred Heart Church on July 29, 1934. The youngest of six boys, he attended Sacred Heart Grammar School and Regis High School in New York City before studying at St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y.
After he graduated in 1954, he was received into the Order of Friars Minor at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., where he was given the name Reginald James. He professed first vows one year later and was ordained to the priesthood on Feb. 25, 1961, at the Franciscan Monastery, Mount St. Sepulchre, in Washington, D.C.
Ministry
Following ordination, Reginald began the first of his many years as a physics teacher at Archbishop Walsh High School in Olean, N.Y. From 1965 to 1973, Reginald attended the University of South Carolina in Columbia to pursue his doctorate in physics. He returned north to teach physics at Siena College and completed his doctorate in 1977. He became head of the physics department and served as president of Sigma Xi. In addition to teaching, Reginald was the founding spiritual assistant for the Franciscan Missionaries of Jesus Crucified, and was also the spiritual assistant for the local Secular Franciscan fraternity from 1978 to 1992.
In 2002, Reginald retired from Siena College and was named professor emeritus. He began ministering at St. Francis Chapel in Albany, N.Y., while also serving as chaplain to several groups, including the local Filipino community and the Knights and Dames of Malta. After 12 years at St. Francis Chapel, Reginald moved to Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J. in 2016. Earlier this year, he transferred to Teresian House.
In addition to his Franciscan confreres, Reginald is survived by his brothers Robert of Edmond, Okla., and John (Marie) Reddy of Hauppauge, Long Island, N.Y. He was predeceased by his brother David, OFM; Richard, and Paul Reddy.
Memorial donations may be sent to Franciscan Friars – Holy Name Province, 144 West 32nd Street, New York, NY 10001-3202 or to Siena College, Development & External Affairs, 515 Loudon Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211.
Related
- “A Different Retreat at Siena” – June 1, 2006, HNP Today
- “Friars Formerly at Siena” – Siena.edu