James E. Hannan, O.S.A.

1916 – 2013 (July 27)

James E. Hannan was born in Jamestown, Rhode Island, on July 4, 1916, one of two sons of Julia and James Hannan, Sr. In 1926 his family moved to San Francisco, California, where he attended St. Ignatius High School and, for two years, attended the University of San Francisco. A lay teacher there introduced him to the Augustinians in Ojai, California, and he entered the novitiate in New Hamburg, New York in 1938. He professed vows in 1939 and graduated from Villanova College in 1941. After his third year of theological studies in Washington, D.C., he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Mitty in the cathedral of San Francisco. One year later, Catholic University of America awarded him a Masters Degree in Education. In 1947, he became one of the founding faculty members of Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. Years later, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Merrimack.

In 1949, Father Hannan was commissioned as a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve. He was called to active duty during the Korean War. In all, he had thirteen different assignments in his military career, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel on the bicentennial of the country he so proudly served, July 4, 1976. During his military career, Father Hannan was also the rector of the Augustinian House of Formation at Villanova from 1956 to 1959. From 1962 he was a member of Saint Augustine Monastery in San Diego. He had a number of assignments at St. Augustine's, most notably as a teacher and as the school's business manager from 1966 until 1977. From 1978 until 1985 he was the Chaplain at San Diego County Jail. Father Hannan also assisted at a variety of parishes, including one year at Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Los Angeles. For thirty-four years he assisted at Saint John the Evangelist Church in San Diego.

Up until a few days before his death, Fr. Hannan was alert and intellectually acute. He read at least three newspapers a day and had a voracious appetite for the New York Times. He read all brochures and magazines that concerned themselves with the U.S Air Force, and still corresponded with the alumni from the very first graduating class at Merrimack College. Despite all his loyalties and regimen, all of these came second to his love of Mass and his faithfulness to the Divine Office. He was a good and holy Augustinian and priest. He was 97 years old when he died on July 27, 2013.

Father Hannan's funeral mass was celebrated at Saint John the Evangelist Church, in San Diego, on Wednesday, July 31. He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Ralph E. Handran, O.S.A.

1907 – 1972 (December 15)

Ralph Ellsworth Handran, son of Herman Handran and Mary Ellsworth Rose, was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, on December 8, 1907. Following his elementary education, he attended Augustinian Academy as a postulant and was received into the novitiate on September 9, 1929. He professed simple vows on September 10, 1930, and solemn vows on September 10, 1933. He graduated from Villanova College in 1934 and pursued theological studies in Washington, D.C. He was ordained a priest on June 15, 1937, in Washington, by Bishop James McIntire. An accomplished musician, Father Handran received a master's degree in Music from the Catholic University, Washington, DC in 1938.

His first assignment in 1938 was to Villanova College where he taught American literature and music and moderated the nationally honored band. He was also chaplain to Rosemont College from 1940-1943.

In 1943 he was commissioned a Naval Chaplain and served in the major battles in the Pacific Theatre including Wake Island, the Marshalls, Marianas, Luzon and Formosa as well as the Inchon, Korea in the early 1950's. He was also stationed at Naples, Italy for many years. Father Handran had returned to Villanova for four years, from 1947 to 1951, but was recommisioned in 1951. He retired as a Commander in July 1968.

From 1968 until his death he served as director of the Augustinian House in Ocean City, New Jersey. Father died on December 15, 1972. His Funeral Mass was celebrated on December 18, 1972 in the chapel of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, where he was buried.

John F. Hammond, O.S.A.

1895 – 1946 (September 4)

John Francis Hammond, son of John Sewell Hammond and Eleanor Lee, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 12, 1895. In 1907 he was enrolled at Saint Nicholas Academy for boys on the campus of Villanova  College. He entered the novitiate there on June 24, 1914 and professed simple vows on July 2, 1915. He received his B.A. from Villanova that same year, and was solemnly professed on July 3, 1918. He obtained his M.A. in 1919 and was assigned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, Il to teach chemistry and short hand. He was ordained to the priesthood in Oconomowoc, WI. by Archbishop Messmer of Milwaukee, on July 2, 1919.

While teaching at Saint Rita's High School, Chicago, for many years, he also pursued graduate work in chemistry at the University of Chicago. In 1935, he was transferred to Villanova College where he taught organic chemistry especially to pre-med students, as well as math and physics.

Father Hammond died suddenly in his sleep in the Villanova Monastery on September 4, 1946 at the age of 51. His death came as a sudden shock to the College campus, especially t his students who held him in high regard.

A Requiem Mass was offered on September 7th at Villanova by Father Joseph Hickey, O.S.A., Assistant General. Father William Deacy, O.S.A. preached the homily. Father Hammond was buried in the Community Cemetery at Villanova.

Eugene L. Hamilton, O.S.A.

1914 – 1981 (April 25)

Eugene Leroy Hamilton, son of Eugene Leroy Hamilton and Elizabeth Duff, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 30, 1914. After attending West Catholic High School and La Salle College in Philadelphia, he attended Augustinian Academy in Staten Island, New York, as a post-graduate postulant. He entered the Augustinian novitiate in New Hamburg, N.Y., on September 9, 1935, and professed first vows on September 10, 1936. He professed solemn vows on September 10, 1939. He graduate from Villanova College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in June of 1939, and pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, DC. He also did advanced studies in Library Science at Villanova. He was ordained to the priesthood at Trinity College in Washington on May 28, 1942.

In June, 1943, Father Hamilton was affiliated and assigned to the recently-formed Midwest Province. His first assignment was to Saint Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois, where he taught for one year. From 1944 to 1947 he taught at Saint Monica Minor Seminary in Oconomowoc, WI and the followin year was teaching again at Saint Rita High School in Chicago. In 1948 he was assigned to Saint Thomas High School in Rockford, IL, where he remained until 1955. In that year he was assisgned to teach at Austin Catholic Prep in Detroit, Michigan. From 1962 until 1979 he taught at Cascia Hall in Tulsa, OK.

In 1979 Father Hamilton was discovered to have cancer. He returned to the Philadelphia area, where he served as chaplain in Sacred Heart Hospital in Conshohocken, PA. He died on April 25, 1981, and is buried in the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.
Father Hamilton was known as a dedicated teacher who reached out with compassion and kindness to the many students whom he taught. A former student wrote of him, “more than a teacher, he was an educator who combined knowledge with values. He knew his job and was dedicated to it totally. He was a hero or the word in not true.”

William J. Griswold, O.S.A.

1928 – 1994 (November 7)

William Joseph Griswold was born on June 18. 1928, in San Diego County, California, to Verner Lane Griswold. He was received into the novitiate in September, 1947, and pronounced simple vows on September 10, 1948. He was solemnly professed on the same day in 1952. Following studies, he was ordained to the priesthood in San Diego on August 24, 1954.

Father Griswold served his entire Augustinian life in the role of a teacher. He first taught at Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai, CA from 1957 to 1963. He then moved to Saint Augustine High School, San Diego, where he taught Latin and religion from 1963 until he entered limited service. For many of those years he was the freshman basketball coach. Students at Saints best remember him for what was known as “The Turtle Shop.” It was a small on-campus store where students would tender cash for snacks and commune with “Griz” as he was affectionately known. During his limited service, which began in 1981, the Turtle Shop remained open. 
Father Griswold was involved in an automobile accident and died on November 7, 1994 in a San Diego hospital following a heart attack.

Edwin T. Grimes, O.S.A.

1908 – 2005 (April 11)

Edwin Thomas Grimes was born on April 14, 1908, to Edwin T. Grimes, Sr., and Elizabeth M. Vipond. He was baptized in the church of Our Lady of the Rosary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 3, 1908, and received his early education at St. Aloysius Academy, West Chester, PA. From 1923 to 1927, he attended the high school division of Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and afterwards became a post graduate postulant at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York. On September 9, 1928, he entered the novitiate, professed first vows on September 10, 1929 and solemn vows three years later. He graduated from Villanova College with a B.A. degree is History in June, 1933, and then pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, DC. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 9, 1936, by Bishop John M. McNamara. 

While studying theology, Ed did graduate work in History at Catholic University and received his M.A. in June, 1937. That same year he was assigned to teach at St. Mary's Hall, the collegiate seminary, on the campus of Villanova College. In the fall of 1938, he continued graduate studies in history at Oxford University, but in October 1939, he returned to the United States, due to the outbreak of World War II. He resumed teaching at St. Mary's Hall and was enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania to continue his studies.

From 1941 to 1956, Father Grimes ministered at Villanova College as professor, chaplain and dormitory prefect. In October, 1944, he was appointed Ecclesiastical Chaplain of the Military Ordinariate at Villanova College. From 1956 to 1958, while recuperating from illness, he was at Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, NY. Then, from 1958 to 1968, after a short stay at St. Rita Parish, Philadelphia, PA., he continued his ministry as prior and assistant pastor at St. Augustine Parish, Philadelphia. It was in August, 1968, that he was assigned to St. Denis Parish, Havertown, PA. In 1986, while still ministering at St. Denis Parish, Father Grimes was appointed archivist for the Province. In 1997, due to illness, he was received into the community of St. Thomas Monastery, Villanova, PA. After a long illness, Father Grimes passed over to the Lord on Monday, April 11, 2005, just three days shy of his 97th birthday. He was the oldest living member of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova.

Over the years, Father Grimes was blessed with warmth, understanding and compassion for the people he served. As a counselor, he was very conscientious about guiding young men to the Order. In the early days, he assisted at Rosemont College, Cabrini College and on Saturdays, at Hallahan High School where he taught Religious Sisters for accreditation to teach.

Father Trevor Davies, M.A., of Oxford, recorded, "He attended, on the average, nine or ten lectures a week dealing with a large variety of aspects of English and General History. His essays and other tests showed that he possessed an exceptional capacity for rapid and accurate work, high literary ability, acute critical powers and independence of mind…. He showed an especial capacity for original research in his chosen field of medieval history."

The Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at St. Thomas Church on the campus of Villanova University, and burial took place at the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.

John P. Griffin, O.S.A.

1906 – 1973 (September 25)

John Peter Griffin was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 16, 1906, the son of Joseph Griffin and Anna Monahan. He was educated in Philadelphia and Conshohocken, and entered the Order at the age of 27 as a post graduate student in November, 1933. He was accepted into the novitiate in November of that year, and professed simple vows on September 10, 1934. His solemn profession took place on September 10, 1937. He studied both Theology and Economics in Washington, D.C., and was ordained to the priesthood in Washington on June 7, 1938.

From 1938 to 1955 Father Griffin served at Our Mother of Consolation Parish, Chestnut Hill. It was here that he began a long association with the Catholic Hospital Chaplain's Association. He gained a wide and affirmative reputation throughout the area for his ministry to the sick.

In 1955 he was assigned to Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Staten Island, New York. In ensuing years he was a member of the communities at Villanova; Saint Denis, Havertown; and Cambridge, New York. From 1967 he was assigned to our parishes in Flourtown, Pennsylvania, and Dania, Florida.
 
In 1968 he joined the community at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish in Jamaica, and shortly thereafter was stricken with cancer. He died at Philadelphia’s Episcopal Hospital on September 25, 1973. His Funeral was celebrated on Friday September 28 in the chapel of Saint Mary’s Hall, Villanova after which he was buried in the then adjacent cemetery. Subsequently, his remains were transferred to the Augustinian Plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.

Father “Mike” Griffin, as he was known throughout the province, infirm for many years, was called to a vocation of suffering. Until 1967, when his health ameliorated, he served as acting or assistant chaplain at the number of hospitals where he was a patient. A warm and kindly man, he was greatly esteemed by the communities in which he lived.

James H. Griffin, O.S.A.

1891 – 1972 (July 28)

James H. Griffin, the son of James Griffin and Margaret O’Connor, was born on December 11, 1891 in the Bronx, New York. He entered the novitiate on June 25, 1909 and was professed on the same day in 1910. In September, 1912, after graduating from Villanova College, he was sent to Saint Monica's International College in Rome to study theology. The onset of World War I called him home in 1915. He was ordained on July 1, 1915 at Villanova by Bishop John McCort, Auxiliary of Philadelphia. 

From 1915 to 1926 Father served the parish of Our Mother of Consolation in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. In June, 1926, he was appointed President of Villanova College. It was during his presidency that Villanova suffered the first of two disastrous fires in 1928.

In 1932 Father Griffin began a series of pastorates including Saint Mary’s, Waterford; Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, Jamaica, New York, in 1938 and again in 1950; Our Lady of Good Counsel, Staten Island, in 1944 and in 1956; and Saint Joseph, Greenwich, New York in 1962. He gained a wide-spread reputation throughout New York States as an organizer, working with the saint Vincent DePaul Society and chaplain of Queens General Hospital. He was also noticed for his work with alcoholics and drug addicts.

In 1968 he was appointed prior of the Augustinian community at Saint Augustine's Lawrence, MA. With failing health he was transferred a year later to Saint Augustine's Troy, NY, where he died at age 81. He is buried in the community cemetery at Villanova.

Edward V. Griffin, O.S.A.

1922 – 2014 (January 4)

Edward Valentine Griffin was born on January 20, 1922, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, one of two sons of Gerald A. Griffin and Madeline Berry. He was baptized on January 30, 1922, at Holy Spirit Church, Atlantic City, and attended New Jersey parochial schools in both Atlantic City and Ventor. He attended Holy Spirit High School, from 1937 to 1941, and then enrolled as a postulant in Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York. He was received as a novice on September 9, 1942, and after a year at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York, professed simple vows on September 10, 1943. He attended Villanova College from 1943 to 1946, and was awarded a BA in Philosophy. He pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, DC, from 1946 to 1950, and also obtained an MS in Physics from the Catholic University of America. He professed solemn vows on September 10, 1946, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1949, at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC, by Bishop John McNamara.
 
Father Griffin was first assigned to Sacred Heart Church, Lewiston, Pennsylvania, where he served as associate pastor and as chaplain both to the Bucknell University Newman Center and to Laurelton State Village, until 1954. In the latter year he volunteered for the Province's newly established mission in Japan and he served there for twenty-six years: as associate pastor at Our Mother of Consolation Parish, Nagasaki, from 1954 to 1960, as pastor at Saint Augustine Parish, Fukuoka, from 1960 to 1968, and as pastor at Saint Augustine Parish, Tokyo, from 1968 until 1979. He also served as regional superior of the mission from 1972 to 1978. In 1979 he was named pastor at Saint Monica Parish, Nagoya. 
In 1980, Fr. Griffin returned from the mission in Japan and was assigned to Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Bronx, New York, where he served as associate pastor for one year. In 1981, he was assigned as pastor of Saint Patrick Parish, Cambridge, New York, and in 1992, as administrator of Saint Rita of Cascia Parish and National Shrine, Philadelphia. From here he ministered from 1993 to 1995 as Staff Chaplain at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and from 1995 to 2000 as chaplain to the Motherhouse of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart in Yardley, Pa. In 2008, he retired and was assigned to Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery, Villanova, Pennsylvania.
Father Griffin was a kind and gentle man, with a good sense of humor, which at times was evidenced in a hearty and contagious laugh. He died peacefully in Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery on Saturday, January 4, 2014, following a long decline in health. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in the Monastery Chapel by Prior Provincial Anthony M. Genovese, O.S.A. The homilist was Father Thomas P. Dwyer, O.S.A.

Father Griffin is buried in the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

Edward S. Griffin, O.S.A.

1907 – 1982 (January 2)

Edward Stephen Griffin was born October 24, 1907 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, to Edward Griffin and Catherine Courtney. He was baptized November 2, 1907 at Holy Rosary Church, Holyoke, and was confirmed in October, 1924, at the same church. Edward received his education at East Dwight Street School, Holyoke, and at Holy Rosary Elementary and High Schools, Holyoke. He studied for two years at St. Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire, then transferred to Niagara University, Niagara Falls, New York, where he earned a BA in 1929. After working in the offices of Stroheim and Romann, a wholesaler of interior decorating fabrics in New York City, and as the manager of an A & P Food Store in Holyoke, in 1935 he entered Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York as a postulant. He was received into the novitiate on September 9, 1936, professed simple vows on September 10, 1937 and solemn vows on June 1, 1940. He pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., from 1937 to 1941, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 1940.

When the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel was established in 1941, Father Griffin was affiliated to it. He was assigned that year to Saint Rita Parish, Chicago, Illinois, as assistant pastor. In 1959 he was transferred to Saint Augustine Church, Detroit, Michigan, as assistant. Father Griffin taught at Austin Catholic High School, Detroit, during the 1961-1962 school year, and then served as assistant pastor of Saint Clare of Montefalco Parish, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, from 1962 to 1963. He was then returned to teaching at Saint Rita High School, where he remained until 1968. He served as a teacher and procurator at Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago, from 1968 to 1972, and then  returned once again to Saint Rita High School, as part-time teacher. 

Father Griffin became ill while returning from Christmas vacation and died January 2, 1982 in Hartford, Connecticut. He was a gentle, kind, gracious and compassionate individual, with a wonderful sense of humor. He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois. 

Joseph A. Grifferty, O.S.A.

1906 – 1994 (February 11)

Joseph Aloysius Grifferty was born October 6, 1906, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Patrick Grifferty and Mary Lamond. He had three brothers and two sisters. He attended Saint Francis Assisi Elementary and High School in Germantown, graduating in 1923. He entered the Order as a postulant at Villanova in September, 1923, and was accepted as a novice on June 24, 1924. He professed simple vows on June 26, 1925 and solemn vows three years later. In 1928 he graduated with an A.B. degree from Villanova University. Sent to study theology at the college of the Escorial in Madrid, Spain, he was ordained to the priesthood there by the Bishop of Segovia on July 27, 1930. Father Grifferty returned to this country to complete his graduate studies in Spanish at the Catholic University of America, Washington DC, which granted him a master's degree in 1931.

Father Grifferty's first assignment, in 1931, was to Fox Valley High School, Aurora, Illinois, and for the next 31 years his life he was devoted to the secondary education apostolate. In 1932 he was assigned to Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai, CA, and in 1934 began a 28 year association with Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, PA. He taught Spanish and held various administrative positions. From 1956 to 1962 he was prior of the Augustinian community at Malvern. A former student, wishing to formalize his affection and gratitude to his teacher and counselor, established the Father Grifferty Award for Excellence, granted yearly to a member of the senior class for exceptional effort. 

In 1962 Father Grifferty began full-time parish ministry. He served as pastor and prior at Saint Denis, Havertown, PA, until he was transferred in 1965 to Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, the Bronx, NY, with the same responsibilities. In 1972, he was appointed assistant pastor at Saint Mary's Parish, Lawrence, MA, where he was instrumental in establishing ministry to the rapidly growing Hispanic community of the Merrimack Valley. In 1980 he was transferred to Saint Thomas Monastery on the campus of Villanova University, Villanova, PA.  Although retired, Father Grifferty remained active, ministering to the spiritual needs of the Sisters of the Holy Child in nearby Rosemont, Pa., administering the Sacrament of Reconciliation at Saint Joseph in the Hills Retreat House in Malvern, Pa., and Saint John the Evangelist Church in downtown Philadelphia, where his fluent Spanish was greatly appreciated. On the campus of the University he was moderator of the Legion of Mary and became active in the Pro-Life Movement. Father Grifferty was an avid follower of the sports program at Villanova, especially basketball, where he, along with Fathers Conneen and Dunne, were familiar figures at all home games. On July 27, 1990, Father celebrated 60 years priesthood.

Shortly after observing his 87th birthday on October 6, 1993, he began to show signs of failing health. He died on February 11, 1994, at the Mercy Haverford Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on February 17, 1994, at Saint Thomas of Villanova Church. The celebrant was Father John J. Hagen, O.S.A. 

Howard A. Grelis, O.S.A.

1892 – 1970 (August 8)

Howard A. Grelis was born in Philadelphia on December 24, 1892, to John Grelis and Mary Byrne. He graduated as valedictorian of Roman Catholic High School, Philadelphia in June, 1911, and entered the novitiate on June 20, 1912. He professed simple vows as an Augustinian on June 20, 1913, and solemn vows on June 22, 1916. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 16, 1918 at the Passionist Church of Saint Michael the Archangel in Hoboken, New Jersey, by Bishop John J. O’Connor of Newark.

Father Grelis served the Church at Villanova University for 52 years, as professor of Latin and Greek, Prefect of studies and director of the School of Arts and Sciences. Father gained a wide reputation in the Philadelphia Archdiocese for his zealous work as spiritual director for several congregations of Sisters.

After several years of failing health Father Grelis died at Rosemont Manor on August 8. 1970, at the age of 78. He is buried in the community cemetery at Saint Mary's Hall, Villanova. One of Father Grelis’ sisters was a Sister of St. Joseph, Sister Austin Marie, S.S.J., and two of his nieces belonged to the same congregation, Sr. John Elizabeth, S.S.J. and Sr. William Augustine, S.S.J.

Henry E. Greenlee, O.S.A.

1897 – 1990 (November 18)

Henry Greenlee was born on December 21, 1897 in Bristol, Connecticut, one of three sons and daughters of Charles Greenlee and Margaret Donnellan. When he was two years old, the family moved to Philadelphia, eventually settling in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, where he attended Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish School. After graduating in 1912 he entered the novitiate at Villanova on June 24, 1916, and professed simple vows on June 24, 1917. Three years later on June 27, 1920 he professed solemn vows. After receiving his AB degree from Villanova, he was sent to Collegio Santa Monica, Rome, for theological studies. On July 18, 1923, he was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Pamphili in the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. While continuing his theological studies, he was appointed submaster of professed students at Saint Monica. In 1925, having received a doctoral degree from the Vatican Theological Commission, he returned to Villanova.

Father Harry, as he was known during his lifetime, had his first assignment at Villanova College as a professor in church history and submaster of professed at St. Mary’s Hall. In 1931 he was assigned to Saint Mary’s Parish, Lawrence, Massachusetts, as assistant pastor and treasurer of the community. After two years of parish life he was assigned to Augustinian College, Washington, DC, where he taught theology and served as treasurer of the community. From 1944 to 1947 he served as a counselor of the province. In 1947, he returned to Villanova as prior of Saint Mary’s Hall and in 1951 he was elected Secretary of the Province and was transferred to Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish as prior of the community.
Upon the death of the Provincial, Father Joseph Dougherty, O.S.A., Father Greenlee was appointed rector provincial by the Prior General and completed the term of office. In 1956 he was elected Prior Provincial and served until 1959. During his terms in office he continued and consolidated the Province expansion that characterized the post-World War II years – the growth of Villanova College due to the G.I. Bill, the newly established Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, the archdiocesan high schools in Philadelphia and Washington, DC, and the newly establish foreign mission in Nagasaki, Japan, as well as the opportunity to extend the Province’s activities in Florida. 

Following his term as Prior Provincial, Father Greenlee served as pastor and prior at our parishes of Saint Thomas, Rosemont, Saint Denis, Havertown, and finally as prior and assistant pastor at Saint Genevieve, Flourtown. In 1975 he moved to Saint Thomas Monastery, Villanova.

During his years of retirement Father Greenlee retained the love and respect of the friars as well as that of the laity and clergy with whom he had been associated during his long and active life. Revered for his wisdom and memory, which remained with him to the end, his humor, common sense, and gentleness were summed up by the homilist at his funeral, “He remained young at heart and was a balanced optimist, never losing his sense of humor.” About a half-hour before his death he asked those at his bedside, “ Am I dead yet?” He died peacefully, having commended his spirit to the Lord and surrounded by his brothers in religion.

The Prior Provincial, John Hagen, O.S.A., was the celebrant at the Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Thomas of Villanova Church on November 21, 1990. The homilist was the former Provincial, James Sherman, O.S.A. Father Greenlee is buried in the Augustinian plot in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

James F. Green, O.S.A.

1867 – 1936 (November 3)

James Francis Green was born in Chestnut Hill, PA on March 1, 1867, the eldest of eight children of Hugh Green and Anna Reilly, and was baptized five days later at Our Mother of Consolation Church by Father William Harnett, O.S.A. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, PA in August, 1887, and made his simple profession of vows on September 2, 1888. He was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul by Archbishop Patrick Ryan on June 11, 1892.

Father Green served on our missions at Saint Mary's in Lawrence, MA; and in New York State at Hoosick Falls, Schaghticoke, and Greenwich where he became rector in 1901. As rector in Greenwich, he built a new church and rectory. In 1905, he was sent to Chicago, IL, to organize the work of establishing new foundations. He first established Saint Rita's church, convent, and school, which were built in 1906. He also served as the first rector of these new foundations.

From 1905 until his death, Father Green successfully directed the work of our early establishments in the Chicago area. He served there in such capacities as rector, director of the school, and rector of Saint Rita's parish. He was also definitor of the undivided Province from 19129 to 1935, and also served as Vicar Provincial of Illinois.

From 1905 to 1915, Father Green officiated at the cornerstone laying and the establishments of five foundations in the Greater Chicago area. These included: Saint Rita's; Saint Clare's; Saint Rita's parish, Saint Gall's, and saint Nicholas of Tolentine. Of these five foundations, Saint Rita's; Saint Clare's and Saint Rita's parish became permanent Augustinian foundations.

Father Green was 69 when he died in Chicago on November 3, 1936. He is buried at Villanova in the Community Cemetery.

Joseph A. Graham, O.S.A.

1916 – 1980 (May 23)

Joseph Aloysius Graham was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, on September 12, 1916 to Joseph A. Graham and Mary McKeon. He was baptized on September 24, 1916, at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church, Bryn Mawr, and was confirmed in 1925 at Saint Thomas of Villanova Chapel, Rosemont, PA. Following elementary education at Saint Thomas of Villanova Parochial School and one year at West Catholic High School, Joseph entered the House of Postulants at Staten Island, New York in 1931. He was received into the novitiate on September 9, 1935, and professed simple vows on September 10, 1936 and  solemn vows on September 10, 1939. He studied at Villanova College and Augustinian College and was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1943.

After ordination Father Graham was assigned to the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel where he served in Chicago at Saint Rita High School from 1944 to 1952 and at Mendel High School from 1951 to 1956. In 1956 he became an assistant at Saint Clare Parish in Grosse Pointe Park, MI. From 1957 to 1960 he engaged in scriptural studies at Catholic University in Washington, DC and in Rome. After returning to the United States, he taught at Saint Thomas High School in Rockford for a year and then was assigned to teach at Augustinian Academy in Saint Louis from 1961 to 1965. In 1965 Father Graham became Provincial Secretary and resided at Tolentine College in Olympia Field, IL from 1965 to 1968, and at the Provincialate in Evanston from 1968 to 1971. In 1971 he was assigned to Austin Catholic High School in Detroit. From 1973 to 1977 he served as Assistant and prior at Saint Anthony's Parish in Baton Rouge, LA. 

In 1977 Father Graham volunteered for the Peruvian missions and was stationed in Lima and Chulucanas. He died suddenly on May 23, 1980 in Lima. He is buried in Chulucanas, Peru. 

Father Graham is remembered for his loyalty, good humor and devotion to the Order. 

Charles A. Grady, O.S.A.

1901 – 1981 (December 21)

Charles Augustus Grady was born May 4, 1901 in Waterford, New York, to Charles A. Grady and Agnes Morton. He was baptized on May 12, 1901 at Saint Mary’s Church, Waterford. After attending Waterford Public School No. 1 for seven years, Charles enrolled in St. Bernard Academy, Cohoes, N.Y., which granted him a high school diploma in 1919. He was received into the novitiate on June 27, 1920, and professed simple  vows on June 28, 1921, and solemn vows on June 28, 1924. He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1924. He then pursued theological studies at Villanova College until 1928. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 11, 1927.

Father Grady was assigned in 1928 to Saint Mary’s Parish, Lawrence, Massachusetts, as assistant pastor. He became assistant at Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, in 1932, and in 1933 he was transferred to Saint Rita Parish, Chicago, Illinois.

In 1938 Father Grady was assigned to Saint Rita Parish, Philadelphia, Pa. He then served at Saint James Parish, Carthage, New York, from 1939 to 1941. He returned in 1941 to St. Mary Parish, Lawrence. After he was affiliated to the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel in 1946, Father Grady taught at Saint Rita High School, Chicago, until 1948. He returned to parish ministry that year, serving as assistant at Saint Mary Parish, Rockford, Illinois, until 1951, when he became assistant pastor at Saint Clare of Montefalco Parish, Chicago. He became assistant pastor and prior of Saint Matthew Parish, Flint, Michigan, in 1959, and served again as assistant at Saint Clare of Montefalco, Chicago, from 1965 to 1968.
In 1969 Father Grady retired from full-time ministry. He was transferred to Saint Monica Monastery, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where he lived until the time of his death on December 21, 1981.

Father Grady was always willing to serve. Even in his advanced age, he would, without complaint, even eagerly, minister at parishes near Oconomowoc whenever help as needed. Father Grady was a kindly man, and people experienced this readily. He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.

Edward G. Grace, O.S.A.

1915 – 2004 (July 31)

Edward George Grace was born February 22, 1915, in Chicago, Illinois, one of three sons and two daughters of James Grace and Maria Josephine Judge. He was baptized March 14, 1915 at Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Chicago. He attended parish elementary schools at Visitation and St. Rita, both in Chicago, and upon completion of his elementary education, entered Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, in September, 1929 as a postulant. He received his high school diploma there in 1933. Edward was received into the novitiate on September 9, 1933. He professed simple vows on September 10, 1934 and solemn vows on September 10, 1937. He received a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in June, 1938, studied theology at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. until 1942, and was ordained to the priesthood June 10, 1941 in Washington. While Father Grace studied theology, he also did graduate studies at Catholic University of America, Washington, where he was awarded an M.A. in Sociology in 1942. Father Grace also took graduate courses in Education at DePaul University, Chicago, from 1957 to 1960.

His first assignment was to St. Rita High School, Chicago, as a teacher in June, 1942. In June, 1943, he was transferred to St. Augustine Parish, Detroit, Michigan, as Assistant Pastor. In 1948, he returned to teaching when he was assigned to Cascia Hall Preparatory School, Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1951 he was transferred to St. Mary Parish, Rockford, Illinois, as Assistant Pastor. In 1953 he was assigned to Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago, as Vice-Principal, teacher and procurator.

In 1967 Father Grace was transferred to the new parish of St. Gregory, Galt now Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, as its Pastor. He held this position until 1980. In 1981 Father Grace retired to St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields, Illinois. Later that same year he returned to the active ministry by resuming parish work in the Diocese of Hamilton. Shortly afterwards he was appointed the first resident Pastor of St. John Brebeuf Church, Erin, Ontario.

In 1985 Father Grace was elected by his fellow Senior Friars to the Province Commission on Senior Status. He served as secretary to this Commission.

Father Grace was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the early 1980s. Declining physical capabilities necessitated his resignation as Pastor of St. John Brebeuf in 1986. In January, 1988, in order to receive needed care, he moved to St. Joseph's Villa, Dundas, Ontario.

He will be remembered as the gentlest of gentle people, yet as a determined person who would quickly take the necessary steps to attain his goals. As his body gradually grew weaker, he always maintained a positive attitude and a sense of humor. Father Grace developed pneumonia in July, 2004, and died July 31, 2004, at St. Joseph's Villa. He is buried at Marymount Cemetery, Guelph, Ontario.

William J. Gordon, O.S.A.

1915 – 1953 (July 20)

William Gordon was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 1, 1915, one of two sons and two daughters of John Gordon and Ellen Fitzsimons. After receiving his early education at Holy Cross Parochial School and Flatbush High School in New York, he entered Augustinian Academy on Staten Island in September, 1935. He was received into the novitiate on September 9, 1936 and made his simple profession on September 10, 1937. He  was solemnly professed on September 10, 1940, and following studies at Augustinian College, he was ordained to the priesthood in Trinity Chapel in Washington, D.C. on May 18, 1944.

For two years after ordination. Father Gordon remained at Augustinian College while he did graduate work in economics at Catholic University. He received his Masters degree in 1945. From 1946 to 1951, he taught economics in Villanova University's School of Commerce and Finance. He later served in our parish of St. Nicholas of Tolentine in Jamaica, New York.

Father Gordon was 38 when he died on July 20, 1953 in Manhattan. He had been suffering from a heart condition for some time previously. Following a Requiem Mass in the chapel of Augustinian Academy on July 25, he was buried in his family's plot in Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn.

Agustin Gonzalez Garcia, O.S.A.

1908 – 1963 (July 2)

Agustin Gonzalez Garcia, son of Quirino Gonzalez and Epifania Garcia, was born on April 14, 1908 at Orones, Leon, Spain. He was baptized two days later in the Parish of Santa Eugenia, and confirmed on September 20, 1911, in the Parish of Santa Marina de Vegamian. He was vested with the habit of the Order in Valladolid by Prior Anselmo Polanco on August 22, 1923, and professed vows before him on August 23, 1924.  He then studied philosophy at the Royal College Seminary, Valladolid, and theology at the Royal Monastery of the Escorial in Spain. He made his solemn profession before Father Polanco on April 16, 1929 in Valladolid. Agustin was sent to the Philippines in 1931 where he completed his final year of studies, and was ordained to the priesthood in the Church of San Agustin in Manila, on December 19, 1931.

As a member of the Spanish Philippine Province, Father Gonzalez taught at Saint Augustine College in Iloilo from 1931 to 1939. In this latter year, he left for the United States to begin graduate studies, and received his Master of Arts Degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University, Washington, D.C. in 1941. In the Provincial Chapter of 1946 he was named Vice-Director of the College of Iloilo, but declined for reasons of health.

When World War II prevented his return to the Philippine Islands, Father Gonzalez was assigned to Augustinian Academy, Mount Saint Rita, Staten Island, New York. There he taught Spanish and directed the Spanish Augustinian Friars who were serving and studying in the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova.

Father Gonzalez was 55 when he died of cancer at Mount Saint Rita, on July 2, 1963, after several years of poor health. He is buried in the Community Cemetery at Villanova.

Father Gonzalez was the author of various articles that appeared in Spanish publications. During his many years at Augustinian Academy he assisted several communities of religious sisters, and enjoyed a reputation both inside and outside the Academy as a friar of gentleness and gentlemanliness. 

Ambrose J. Godsil, O.S.A.

1910 – 1989 (August 4)

Ambrose J. Godsil was born May 22, 1910 in Aurora, Illinois, to James Godsil and Ella McCarthy, and was baptized June 5, 1910, at St. Mary Church, Aurora. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation in October, 1924, at St. Rita Church, Chicago, Illinois. Following graduation in 1925 from St. Rita Elementary School, Ambrose enrolled in St. Rita High School, Chicago. After two years there, he transfered to Lindblom High School, Chicago, which awarded him a high school diploma in 1929. Following graduation, he spent five years in the work force, and, in 1934, entered Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, where he did a year of post-graduate studies in Latin. He was received into the novitiate on September 9, 1935, and professed simple vows on September 10, 1936 and solemn vows on September 10, 1940. He then earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, and pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. from 1940 to 1944. While studying Theology he also did graduate studies at the Catholic University of America, Washington, earning an M.A. in Psychology in 1944. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 18, 1944.

Father Godsil taught in the 1944 summer school session at Cascia Hall School, Tulsa, Oklahoma. He then was assigned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, where he taught until 1949. He began a career in parish ministry that year, when he was assigned as assistant pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan. In 1952 we went to St. Matthew Catholic Parish, Flint, Michigan, as assistant pastor. From 1956 to 1965 he was assistant pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Parish, Chicago. He returned in 1965 to St. Matthew Parish, Flint, as assistant and prior of the community. In 1966 he was named pastor of St. Matthew. When he reached the age of 70 in 1980, Father Godsil retired as pastor, but remained active there in ministry. 

In the mid-1980's Father Godsil suffered increasingly from ill health. He died August 4, 1989 in Flint of cardiac arrest brought on by respiratory illiess. He was 79. 

As a parish priest, Father Godsil was always faithful to his service and became very close to the hearts of the people. He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.