Maurice J. Mahoney, O.S.A.

1933 – 2014 (December 29)

Maurice James Mahoney was born on October 19, 1933, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, one of seven children of Vincent Mahoney and Mary Coughlin, and was baptized on November 2, 1933, at Saint Mary’s Church, Lawrence. He attended Saint Augustine Parish School, Tower Hill, from 1939 to 1947, and Central Catholic High School, also in Lawrence, from 1947 to 1952. Maurice then began higher studies at Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass., in 1952. Two years later he requested admittance into the Order and was received as a novice on September 9, 1954. Following his year at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York, he professed simple vows on September 10, 1955, and attended Villanova University, from which he received a BA degree in Philosophy in 1957. Maurice attended the Collegio Santa Monica, Rome for theological studies, and there made solemn profession of vows on October 19, 1958. He was ordained to the priesthood on July 10, 1960, in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart in the Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy.

After returning to the United States, Father Maurice was first assigned to Malvern Preparatory School, where he taught Latin, religion and public speaking from 1961 to 1962. In 1962 he volunteered for the Province's mission in Japan and was assigned, from 1962 to 1975, as associate pastor at Our Mother of Consolation Parish, Nagasaki. While there he also taught English at Nagasaki University, from 1967 to 1972. In 1975 he was assigned as pastor at Saint Augustine Parish, Fukuoka, where he remained until 1987. During this assignment he taught English at Kyushyu University and Fukuoka University, from 1977 to 1983, and was a member of the Japanese Augustinian formation team, from 1982 to 1987. From 1987 to 1988 he was associate pastor at Saint Monica Parish, Nagoya, and from 1988 to 2008 he served at Saint Augustine Parish, Tokyo, first as associate pastor, from 1988 to 1997, and then as pastor, until 2008, and also served on the vocation/formation team for the Vicariate of Japan, from 1988 to 2008. In 2008 he returned to Nagasaki. During his many years in Japan, and his various apostolic works, Father Maurice was concerned especially with issues of Justice and Peace, assisting exploited Filipino and Korean residents, both legal and illegal, in the country.

In 2010, he observed his 50th anniversary of ministry as priest with Masses both in Japan and in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Since September, 2012 he had been in failing health following a fracture which made it difficult for him to walk, and in May, 2014, was hospitalized with a tumor on his brain. He died in Japan on Monday, December 29, 2014.

Father Mahoney had a quick sense of humor, eagerness to engage others in conversation and love for the Augustinian way of life. His 52 years of service to the people of Japan and the development of the Order in that country mark a proud chapter in the story of the Vicariate of the Japanese Martyrs and of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova.
The funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, December 31, at Shiroyama Church, Nagasaki. Memorial Masses were celebrated at St. Michael Church, North Andover, on January 17, 2015 and at Saint Thomas of Villanova monastery chapel, Villanova, on January 13, 2015. Father Mahoney’s remains were interred in Nagasaki, Japan. 

John F. Mahoney, O.S.A.

1899 – 1969 (May 15)

John Francis Mahoney was born in Philadelphia on June 27, 1899, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to John Mahoney and Catherine McElligott. He received his early education there at St. Philomena Commerical School in Lansdowne, and at Villanova Prep. He entered the Order at Villanova and made his first profession of vows there June 25, 1919. He was solemnly professed on June 25, 1922, and did his philosophical and theological studies at Villanova and at Augustinian College, Washington, DC. He also did graduate work at Catholic University. He was ordained August 2, 1925. 

He was assigned to Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Staten Island, New York, and Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, Saint Paul's Parish, Mechanicville, NY, and Saint Rita's High School, Chicago, IL. He was appointed prior of the community at Saint Thomas High School, Rockford, IL, and later prior of Saint Matthew Parish, Flint, MI, and prior of Saint Augustine Seminary, Holland, MI. He was subsequently prior at Saint Monica Novitiate, Oconomowoc, WI.

Father Mahoney was 69 when he died of a heart attack at Oconomowoc, on May 15, 1969. He is buried in the Augustinian plot in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Chicago. 

Jerome A. Mahoney, O.S.A.

1896 – 1952 (September 22)

Jerome Aloysius Mahoney was born in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, to Patrick Mahoney and Bridget Wade, on July 28, 1896. He attended parochial schools in his hometown and graduated from La Salle Prep. Following his freshman year at La Salle College, he entered Saint Rita Hall, Villanova, in September, 1917, and was admitted to the novitiate on June 15, 1918. He professed simple vows on June 25, 1919 and later was sent to Spain where he completed his theological studies at the Royal Monastery of El Escorial. He made solemn profession there on June 25, 1922, and was ordained to the priesthood on July 15, 1923, by Leopoldo Eijo Garay, Bishop of Madrid.

After he returned to the United States, Father Mahoney taught in Saint Augustine High School, San Diego, California. From 1929 to 1931 he was assigned to Colegio San Agustin, Havana, Cuba, and thereafter to Saint Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois. From 1936 to 1941, he was Professor of Spanish at Villanova College. He was assigned in 1943 as an assistant at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Jamaica, Long Island. In 1945 he returned to San Diego, and, in 1947 was transferred to Our Lady of Good Counsel, Staten Island, New York.

After a long illness, Father Mahoney went to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to try to regain his health. He died there in Saint Joseph's Hospital on September 22, 1952 at the age of 56. 

The Office of the Dead was held at Villanova on September 25th Father James Donnellon, O.S.A., prior of the Villanova Monastery presiding. The followind day the Requiem Mass was celebrated by Prior Provincial, Joseph Dougherty, O.S.A. Father Richard McNally, O.S.A., preached. Present at the Mass were the Prior General, Joseph Hickey, O.S.A., and Clement McHale, O.S.A., Prior Provincial of the Midwest Province.

Father Mahoney is buried at Villanova in the Community Cemetery.
 

Richard A. Maher, O.S.A.

1880 – 1959 (August 19)

Richard Augustine Maher was born in Eggleston, Scotland, on January 10, 1880, to Richard Maher and Mary Keenan, and later immigrated to the United States with his family who eventually settled in Mechanicville, New York. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania on September 28, 1899, and professed simple vows on September 30, 1900. He was solemnly professed on the same day in 1903, and was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Patrick Ryan on January 14, 1904 in Philadelphia.

Very soon after, Father Maher was assigned to Saint Denis Parish, Ardmore, Pennsylvania. In July of the same year he was apponinted to Saint James Parish, Carthage, New York, and in 1906 to Saint Rita's in Chicago, Illinois. In 1907 he was appointed to Saint Augustine's in Troy, New York and then to El Christo in Havana, Cuba. In 1913 he was sent to Saint Augustine Parish, Troy, New York, and soon after to Staten Island, N.Y.

It was in 1913 that Father Maher left the community for Denver, Colorado, and treatment for tuberculosis. In 1916, he returned to New York and taught at Dewitt Clinton High School. Two years later he entered the U.S. Service and, at his discharge, became a banker. Beginning in 1927 he was a teacher in Long Beach, Long Island, a high school principal, and finally Superintendent of the Long Beach School System until 1951. Both before and after his departure from the community, he authored novels including: "Shepherd of the North", "The Heart of a Man", and "Gold Must Be Tried By Fire" which won wide acceptance among Catholic readers of his day. While away from the Province he obtained an M.A. and a PhD from Columbia University in New York.

After many years, Richard Maher sought re-admittance to the Order and was received formally on Janauary 3, 1957. He became a member of the Villanova Monastery Community where he remained until his death at the age of 79 on August 19, 1959. His Funeral Mass was offered by his cousin, Bishop Maginn, Auxiliary Bishop of Albany. Father John Fagan, O.S.A. was the homilist. Father Maher was buried in the Community Cemetery at Villanova.
 

John P. Maher, O.S.A.

1909 – 1983 (June 11)

John Patrick Maher, the son of Martin Francis Maher and Catherin McDermott, was born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, on May 9, 1909. He attended Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, as a postulant, from 1925 to 1927, and was received as a novice on September 8, 1927. Following a year at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, N.Y., he professed temporary vows on September 9, 1928. He proceded to Villanova College where he made his solemn profession on September 9, 1931, and where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1932. After completing a year of theology at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., he was sent to Saint Monica International College, Rome, Italy, for completion of his theological studies. He was ordained to the priesthood in Rome on July 22, 1934. After ordination he pursued his doctoral degree in theology at the Gregorian University, Rome, and obtained the Doctorate in Sacred Theology in 1937.

Father Maher's first assignment was to Augustinian College, Washington, DC, in 1937 where he taught dogmatic theology and patristics. On June 27, 1945 he was assigned to Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery, Villanova, PA, where he was chairman of the department of theology of Villanova University until 1957. On February 7, 1957 Father Maher was assigned to Saint Nicholas of Tolenine Parish in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and on November 30, 1961, to Our Mother of Consolation Parish in Chestnut Hill, PA. Father Maher was appointed pastor of Saint Genevieve Parish, Flourtown, PA, in March, 1964, but in July, 1965, he returned to Our Mother Consolation Parish as assistant and remained there until 1983 when he retired at Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery, Villanova, PA. 

In stature Father Maher was of medium height, sturdy, and trim. Sandy haired and bright of eye, he radiated a quiet energy. Competitive and athletically inclined, he unfortunately incurred an injury to the eye in a game of basketball during his first year of study of theology. Although his facial expression was lastingly altered by this accident, his dauntless spirit and sunny disposition were not. Continuing with the regular, and even advanced, theological studies, he achieved a level of competence in his chosen field which gave promise of still greater achievements in the field of scholarship. Among his works were his doctoral dissertation, "Saint Augustine's Defense of the Hexaemeron against the Manicheans" which was published in the "Catholic Biblical Quarterly", "Saint Augustine on War and Peace," NCEA 1942, and "Saint Augustine and Manichean Cosmogony," Augustinian Studies X, 1978. 

The burden of progressive ill-health stood always in the way of any ongoing efforts in scholarly research. After an illness which afflicted him for years Father Maher died at Chestnut Hill Hospital on June 11, 1983. He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA. 

Owen A. Maguire, O.S.A.

1869 (February 14)

Owen Maguire, the son of Peter Maguire and Mary McCaffrey, was born in County Cavan, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States and worked as a gardener at Villanova before he requested entrance into the Order and was vested on November 13, 1850, together with Brother Stanislaus Duffy. Brother Owen was professed on March 14, 1857. For many years he was head farmer at Villanova.

Brother Owen died at Villanova on February 14, 1869. He is buried at Saint Denis' Cemetery, Havertown, PA, in an unmarked grave, several yards in front of the flagpole in the old section near the friary.

Father Thomas Middleton, O.S.A. records, “he was a careful, good brother, very highly respected so far as I know by everybody. A religious man, very pleasant of speech, in all his ways very industrious and watchful in his duties.”
 

Joseph J. Lyons, O.S.A.

1892 – 1961 (November 18)

Joseph John Lyons was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1892, to Thomas Lyons and Katharine Murphy, and was baptized at the cathedral there on October 16, 1892. His family later moved to Camden, New Jersey, and from there he entered the Order at Villanova on April 15, 1936. Following oblature and postulancy, he was received into the novitiate at New Hamburg, New York, on July 19, 1939, and made simple profession of vows on July 20, 1940. He was solemnly professed on July 20, 1943.

In 1940, Brother Joseph was assigned to Villanova where he served as porter and janitor for many years. He had suffered from very poor health, including paralysis for two years, before he died at Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital on November 18, 1961 at the age of 69. Father Bernard Hubbert, O.S.A., subprior of the Villanova Monastery celebrated his Requiem Mass, at which Father Richard Plunkett, O.S.A. preached. Brother Joseph is buried at Villanova in the community cemetery.
 

James P. Lyne, O.S.A.

1904 – 1976 (December 4)

James Patrick Lyne was born January 4, 1904 in County Kerry, Ireland to Michael Lyne and Margaret Cahill, and was baptized two days later at St. Agatha Catholic Church, Glenflesk. As a young man he immigrated to the United States, and entered the Augustinian formation program in his early 20's. After studying at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, he was received into the novitiate on September 10, 1929. He professed simple vows on September 11, 1930 and solemn vows on September 11, 1933. He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, and did theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He also studied at  theCatholic University of America, Washington. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 9, 1936.

Father Lyne taught at St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois, from 1937 to 1947, and at St. Thomas High School, Rockford, Illinois, from 1947 to 1949. He was named, in 1949, the first rector of postulants at the new St. Augustine Seminary, Holland, Michigan. He held that position until 1953, when he was assigned to the faculty of Austin Catholic High School, Detroit, Michigan. He taught at Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago, from 1954 to to 1959.

In 1959 Father Lyne was assigned to St. Joseph Mission House, Fort Wayne, Indiana, as prior of the Augustinian community. He was transferred in 1961 to St. Louis, Missouri and named the first prior of the new Augustinian community at Augustinian Academy there. He taught at Tolentine College, Olympia Fields, Illinois, from 1964 to 1965, and also served as prior of the community there. In 1965 he was named director of novices at St. Monica Novitiate, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. He returned in 1968 to Augustinian Academy, St. Louis, where he served again as prior. From 1972 to 1975, he was associate pastor of Immaculate Conception/St. Henry Catholic Parish, St. Louis, and prior of the community.

At the age of 71, Father Lyne volunteered to work in the Augustinian Missions in Peru. He resided in 1975 at the Augustinian Center House, Lima, while studying Spanish, and ministering to neighborhood residents as best he could with limited language ability. In 1976 he wished to travel to the mission territory some 700 miles north of Lima, in order to progress in language facility and because there was a shortage of priests there. After a few weeks in the desert parish of San Isidro in Morropón, he traveled up to the mountain parish of Santo Domingo for several days. On his return to Morropón he began to experience possible symptoms of a heart attack.

Early the following morning, he was taken to Hospital Obrero in Piura. He died there on December 4, 1976. The doctors who attended him refused any remuneration for their services, and said that even though he must have been in great pain from the massive heart attack that he suffered, they had never seen anyone die with such peace and calm.

Father Lyne was one of the most respected friars in the Midwest Province. His deep spirituality bore fruit in his Christlike kindness and openness to all. By word and example he had a great influence on many of his brothers in Augustine.

Father Lyne is buried in the courtyard next to San Isidro Church, Morropón, Peru.

Paul K. Lynch, O.S.A.

1903 – 1980 (July 17)

Paul Keough Lynch, son of John R. Lynch and Eleanor Keough, was born on July 24, 1903, in Towanda, Pa., and baptized on August 16th of the same year in the church of Saints Peter and Paul. After the Lynch family moved to the Bronx, New York, Paul attended the local public school. From 1918 to 1922, he was a postulant at Villanova Prep, Villanova, PA. On June 23, 1922, he was received into the novitiate at Villanova, professed first vows on June 24, 1923, and solemn vows on June 24, 1926. He received a B.A. degree from Villanova College, studied theology at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., and was ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 1929, by Bishop Thomas J. Shahan, D.D., at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

After ordination Father Lynch was assigned to St. Thomas Monastery, Villanova, Pa., where, as a student-priest he was a prefect of students until 1930. During the summer of 1930 he served in St. Augustine Parish, in Troy, New York, and then, Mother of Good Counsel Parish on Staten Island, New York. From December 1930 to July 1932, he was a member of the faculty at St. Augustine High School in San Diego, California. In 1932, he was assigned as an assistant in the parish of St. Nicholas of Tolentine, Jamaica, New York. Beginning in January, 1933, he spent six months teaching in Havana, Cuba, and then, for the next twenty years, from 1933 to 1953 he was an assistant at the Parish of the Immaculate Conception, Hoosick Falls, New York. Here he also taught Religion to the seniors of the parish school and was moderator of the high school baseball and basketball teams. In January, 1953, he was elected as fourth Definitor to the Provincial and in July of that year he was appointed Prior and Pastor of the Assumption, B.V.M., Parish in Lawrence, MA. From 1956 to 1965, Father Lynch was Prior and Pastor at the Church of St. Patrick in Cambridge, New York. From 1965 to 1968, he was Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Greenwich, New York. From 1968 to 1971, he served as Prior in St. Rita Parish, Philadelphia, Pa. Then, from 1971 to 1976, Father Lynch was Prior at St. Paul's Parish in Mechanicville, New York, and, at the end of that assignment, he retired to St. Mary's Parish Community, Waterford, New York, where, in 1976, he celebrated the golden anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

When Father Lynch became ill, first he was sent to the Mary McClellan Hospital, Cambridge, New York, and then spent his last weeks at the Hoosick Falls Health Center, where he died on July 17, 1980. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Hoosick Falls. Interment followed at St. Paul's Cemetery in Mechanicville, New York.
 

Patrick A. Lynch, O.S.A.

1849 – 1927 (May 6)

Patrick Augustine Lynch was born in Thomastown, County Galway, Ireland, on February 1, 1849 to Thomas Lynch and Maria Cullinane. He immigrated to the United States in September, 1863, and entered the novitiate from Lawrence, Massachusetts, at Villanova, Pennsylvania on January 24, 1875. He professed simple vows on January 25, 1876 and solemn vows on January 26, 1879, and was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Wood in the Philadelphia Cathedral on April 25, 1879. 

Father Lynch was assigned to our Mission at Mechanicville, New York, where in 1882 he was named prior, pastor and procurator. The following year he was reassigned to Carthage, N. Y., where he purchased land for the establsihment of a school. In 1885, he was transferred to Waterford, N.Y., and subsequently to Andover and Lawrence in Massachusetts. In 1918 he was named prior at Our Mother of Consolation, Chestnut Hill, PA.

Father Lynch died in Saint Joseph's Hospital, Philadelphia on May 6, 1927 at the age of 78, the second oldest member of the Province at the time. His Funeral Mass was celebrated at Saint Thomas of Villanova Church, Villanova, on May 10, 1927, after which he was buried in the Community Plot at Saint Mary Cemetery, Lawrence, Massachusetts. 

William J. Lunney, O.S.A.

1903 – 1970 (November 24)

William Joseph Lunney, son of William Lunney and Bridget Carson, was born on February 21, 1903, in Philadelphia and attended Saint Francis of Assisi Parochial and High School, Germantown. He entered the novitiate in 1925 and made simple profession of vows on January 5, 1926. He graduated from Villanova College in 1928 and was ent to Germany for theological studies. There he was solemnly professed on January 5, 1929, and received his degree at the University of Wurzburg, Germany in 1932. He was ordained to the priesthood on July 25, 1931 by Matthias Ehrenfield, bishop of Wurzburg in Saint Michael’s Seminary Chapel there.

Father Lunney was on the faculty of Villanova University from 1932 to 1957. He then was assigned, in 1957, as assistant pastor at Saint Genevieve Church, Flourtown, Pa. The following year he was sent to Saint Mary's Church, Waterford, N.Y., and in 1959 to Our Mother of Consolation Church, Chestnut Hill, Pa. where he remained until 1962. Because of delicate health he was assigned to Resurrection of Our Lord Church, Dania, Fl., but returned to Villanova in 1964. That same year his weakened condition recommended that he be assigned again to Florica, this time at Our Lady of the Angels Church, Jacksonville. In 1968 he was appointed to Immaculate Conception Church, Hoosick Falls, N.Y., and the following year to Saint Augustine's Church, Philadelphia.

Father Lunney died on Tuesday, November 24, 1970 at Saint Joseph Hospital. A Requiem Mass was celebrated at Saint Mary’s Hall, Villanova, after which he was buried in the community cemetery at Saint Mary’s. Later his body was moved with that of other friars to Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.

Father Joseph Grifferty was the homilist at the Funeral Mass and described his childhood neighbor, whose favorite diversions were always photography and fishing, as kind and thoughful, of a genuine warm nature.
 

Francis J. Ludwig, O.S.A.

1904 – 1951 (February 16)

Francis Joseph Ludwig, son of Francis Ludwig and Mary Reed, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 8, 1904. His uncle was Brother Vincent Reed, O.S.A., a member of our Province. While he was a child, Francis’ family moved to Pottstown, where he attended Saint Aloysius Parochial School. He entered the Augustinian Preparatory Scholasticate, Saint Rita Hall, Villanova, as a postulant in 1920. He was received into the novitiate on June 25, 1924, and professed simple vows on June 26, 1925, and solemn vows on June 26, 1928. He graduated from Villanova College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy in 1928, and completed his theological training at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He was ordained to the priesthood in Washington at the National Shrine by Bishop Thomas Shahan on June 9, 1931.

Father Ludwig's first and only assignment, from 1932 to 1951, was as a professor of biology on the faculty of Villanova College. He continued his graduate studies during these years at the University of Pennsylvania, with special research on microscopic organisms at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Massachusetts. The University of Pennsylvania awarded him a Master of Science degree in 1939 and a Doctorate in Biology in 1944. 

Father Ludwig was truly a beloved Augustinian on the campus. He was prefect for many years in Alumni and Fedigan Halls and was known for his patient and considerate work with the collegians. The professed students at Saint Mary's Hall were particularly indebted to him for his perseverance in introducing them to the mysteries of biological science. His busy apostolic life was brought to a sudden close when he suffered a fatal heart attack after undergoing a major operation at Saint Mary's Hospital, Philadelphia, on February 16, 1951, at the age of 46. Father James Donnellon, O.S.A., prior of St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery celebrated the Mass of Requiem. Father Joseph Dougherty, O.S.A., preached. Father Ludwig is buried in the Community Cemetery at Villanova University. 

Lorenzo Lozano

1890 – 1956 (December 28)

Lorenzo Lozano was born in Villanueva de la Serena, Spain, on March 27, 1890, to Cayetano Lozano and Isidora Vicioso. He entered the novitiate at Madrid in 1907, and made his profession of simple vows on September 8, 1908. completed his studies for the priesthood at the Royal Monastery of the Escorial, Spain, and was ordained there on April 21, 1916.

Father Lozano spent his first 15 years as a priest teaching and doing parochial work in Spain. On January 23, 1931, he arrived in the United States and Chicago, Illinois. He was sent to San Angelo, Texas where he served in a Spanish-speaking parish. In 1933, he was assigned to teach at Saint Rita High School, Chicago, and in 1935, to Villanova College, Villanova, PA, where he taught Spanish and served as chairman of the Spanish Department. He also acted as moderator of the Spanish Club, and inaugurated the Noche Espanol and Cervantes Day which became two outstanding social events at Villanova.

Father Lozano remained always a member of the Escorial Province of Spain. However, he had served the Order for 25 years in the United States when he died suddenly while on vacation in New York City on December 28, 1956 at the age of 66.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated on January 3, 1957, at Saint Thomas of Villanova Church with Father James Hurley, O.S.A., prior of the monastery as celebrant, and Father Dante Girolami, O.S.A., as homilist. Father Lozano was buried in the Community Cemetery at Villanova.
On March 3, 1957, Father Lozano was honored posthumously by the Spanish government with The Order of Isabel la Catolica. The award was offered by Dr. Teomiro de Aguilar, Spanish Consul at a communion breakfast following Mass at Saint Mary’s Hall, Villanova, in recognition of Father Lozano’s helping to foster good Spanish-American relations.

George F. Loomis, O.S.A.

1881 – 1935 (June 30)

George Francis Loomis, son of Frederick Loomis and Mary Vaughan, was born in Lansingburg, New York, on September 23, 1881, and was baptized in Saint Augustine Church there on October 2, 1881. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, PA in 1904, and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Prendergast in the Philadelphia Cathedral on May 14, 1910.

After ordination, Father Loomis was stationed as an assistant at Saint Mary's in Lawrence, MA until 1922, when he was appointed Master of Novices at Villanova. When the novitiate, which was founded largely through his efforts, was opened at New Hamburg, NY, he became its first Master. From 1926 to 1932, he was prior at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church on Staten Island, N.Y. Later he was prior of the community at Saint Laurence O’Toole Parish in Lawrence, MA.

Father Loomis died at Saint Laurence's on June 30, 1935 at the age of 54. He is buried in Saint Mary's Cemetery in Lawrence.
 

Dominic Longo, O.S.A.

1897 – 1985 (March 28)

Dominic Longo, one of two sons and four daughters of Francesco Longo and Maria Trombetta, was born on July 28, 1897, in Santa Caterina, Calabria, Italy. He immigrated to the United States in 1926 and was naturalized on June 29, 1927. He came to know the Augustinians in South Philadelphia, where he served as sexton in the parishes of Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi and Saint Nicholas of Tolentine.  He served in the U.S. Army from October 8, 1942 to January 27, 1943 and received an honorable discharge.

In 1947, Dominic entered the Augustinian community at Saint Mary’s Parish in East Vineland, New Jersey, as a candidate for the brotherhood. In 1951 he entered the Order as a novice and after a year at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York, he professed first vows on April 27, 1952. Brother Dominic then returned to East Vineland where he served first at Saint Mary’s Parish and then, from 1956, at Our Lady of Pompeii Parish, as sacristan, gardener and cook for the community. He made his solemn profession on April 27, 1955. In 1970, he was assigned to Saint Augustine Preparatory School, Richland, NJ. He claimed that he was assigned there to teach English!

Brother Dominic spent his entire life as a professed religious among the people of southern New Jersey. He was well known to the clergy and people of the Diocese of Camden. He lived a full, joyful and prayerful life, relatively free of illness, a brother known for his fraternal and convivial manner, his generosity and thoughtfulness. From 1980 until his death he lived in the Bishop McCarthy Residence, a nursing care facility, in Vineland, N.J. 

The words of his novice master, Father Henry Caffrey, recommending him for simple profession, remained true througout his religious life: “Brother Dominic has manifested a simple, pious, and docile spirit as a religious during his novitiate year. He has been a willing and energetic worker in all tasks assigned to him. He has shown a real interest in everything pertaining to the common good.”

Father Stephen LaRosa noted at his funeral: “the simplest things in his environment were always beautiful because his soul was filled with the beauty of the Holy Spirit. Dom prayed for his death and wanted it to be a celebration. He invited many to his funeral. He loved youth and often distributed candy at the Prep, as sports events and at Mass, He was ecumenical – had love for everyone. He loved a good time, made you laugh, lifted your soul because he found Jesus in everyone he met. He was devoted to the rosary which he prayed three times a day.” 

Brother Dominic died on March 28, 1985 at the age of 87. His funeral Mass was celebrated on April 1, 1985 at Our Lady of Pompeii Parish, East Vineland, after which he was buried in the Augustinian section of Saint Mary’s Parish Cemetery, East Vineland, N.J.

Michael J. Locke, O.S.A.

1860 – 1929 (December 10)

Michael Joseph Locke, the son of Thomas Locke and Mary Ryan, was born in Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland, on October 8, 1860. He had two sisters and six brothers, one of whom, Joseph, was also a member of our Province. Michael entered the novitiate at Villanova, PA in 1878, professed simple vows on September 27, 1879, completed his undergraduate studies at Villanova and, in 1881, was sent to Rome to pursue theology. He was solemnly professed on September 28, 1882 in Naples, and was ordained to the priesthood at Saint John Lateran, Rome, on March 24, 1883, by Cardinal Raffaele Monaco La Valetta.

From 1885 to 1895, he taught in the Studium at Villanova. He then taught at Saint Monica's in Rome for four years after which he returned to Villanova to teach again from 1899 to 1901 

Beginning in 1905, Father Locke was assigned to various parishes of the Province: Saint Augustine, Philadelphia; Saint Rita, Philadelphia; Saint Augustine, Andover; and at Saint Denis' in Ardmore. From 1917 until his death, he taught theology at Saint Mary's Hall, Villanova. 

Father Locke died in Philadelphia's Misericordia Hospital on December 10, 1929 at the age of 69. He is buried at Villanova in the Community Cemetery.
 

Joseph A. Locke, O.S.A.

1856 – 1892 (April 22)

Joseph Augustine Locke, was one of seven sons and two daughters of Thomas Locke and Mary Ryan, born in Callan, Kilkenny, Ireland, on February 9, 1856. His younger brother, Michael Locke, also became a member of our Province. Joseph entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania, on December 8, 1875, and was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral Chapel in Philadelphia, PA, by Bishop Wood on June 16, 1880.

After ordination, Father Locke taught philosophy and theology at Villanova from 1880 to 1887, when he left for Rome, Italy, to teach there until 1890. When he returned to the United States, he served at Saint Mary's in Lawrence, MA; Saint Augustine's in Philadelphia, and at Saint Augustine's in Lansingburg, NY.

Father Joseph Locke died of rheumatism of the heart at Lansingburg the age of 36 on April 22, 1892, and is buried at Saint Augustine's in Troy.
 

John F. Lipp, O.S.A.

1928 – 2012 (December 3)

John Francis Lipp was born on August 18, 1928, in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, one of two  sons and three daughters of John J. Lipp and Barbara E. Smith. He was baptized on August 26, 1928, at Saint Fidelis Church, Mahanoy City and attended Saint Fidelis Parish School, and Mahanoy City Public High School. He entered Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, as a postulant in 1946, and was received as a novice on September 9, 1947. After a year at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York, he professed first vows on September 10, 1948. He then attended Villanova College, and received a BA in Philosophy in 1951. He went to Augustinian College, Washington, DC, for theological studies, and at the same time, attended the Catholic University of America and received an MA in German in 1955. He professed solemn vows on September 10, 1951, and was ordained to the priesthood on September 12, 1954, at Saint Mary's Hall Chapel, Villanova, , by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick.

Father Lipp John was assigned to Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Jamaica, New York, as a summer assignment in 1955, and then was assigned to teach at Saint John of Sahagun Friary and Archbishop Carroll High School, Washington, DC. From 1963 to 1969, he taught at Austin Preparatory School, Reading, Massachusetts. In 1969 he was assigned to Saint Thomas Monastery and was appointed Assistant Director of Admissions for Villanova University, where he remained until 1979. After a brief assignment to Assumption/Saint Paul Parish, Mechanicville, New York, in 1979, he returned to Austin Preparatory School, as a teacher, until 1983. From 1983 to 1985, he served as associate pastor at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Atlantic City, New Jersey, and from 1985 to 1992, he served as associate pastor at Saint Rita of Cascia Parish, Philadelphia. In 1992 Father Lipp returned to Saint Thomas Monastery and served as chaplain, first at Sacred Heart Hospital, Norristown, Pennsylvania and then at Haverford State Hospital, Haverford, Pennsylvania. 

In his retirement, Father Lipp continued to reside at St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery. He died in Bryn Mawr Hospital on December 3, 2012.

A funeral Mass was said on Monday morning, December 10, 2012 in the Chapel of the St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery, Villanova, Pa. Fr. Mickey Genovese, O.S.A., Prior Provincial, was the celebrant and Fr. Harry J. Erdlen, O.S.A., gave the homily. Fr. Lipp is buried in the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

John B. Leonard, O.S.A.

1867 – 1939 (March 8)

John Bernard Leonard, son of John Leonard and Ellen Walsh, was born on July 20, 1867, in Lawrence Massachusetts, and baptized on July 21st in the Church of Saint Mary there. In 1886, he entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pa., where his two brothers, Augustine and Daniel, had preceded him into the Order. On October 4, 1887, he professed simple vows, and on May 23, 1891, he was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, Pa.

Shortly after his ordination to the priesthood, Father Leonard taught Latin and Greek at Villanova College, then served in the parish of Saint John the Baptist, Schaghticoke, N. Y., and was a member of the Mission Band. He was stationed at Saint Mary's Parish, Lawrence, for sixteen years, during which time he served the parishioners of Saint Monica Parish, Methuen. His last assignment was to the parish of Saint Augustine, Andover, Mass.

Father Leonard died in Lowell, Mass. on March 8, 1939. Prior Provincial, Father John T. Sheehan, O.S.A., celebrated the Requiem Mass at Saint Augustine Church, Andover, and Father Thomas B. Austin, O.S.A., pastor, preached. Father Austin summarized the life of Father Leonard saying, "He was a professed, a priest, a professor, a preacher, a pastor, a prior. Above all else he was a good religious and a good priest." 

A second Mass was celebrated in Saint Mary's Church, Lawrence, by a cousin of Father Leonard, Father Daniel Hughes of New York. Father Leonard's surviving brother, Father Daniel J. Leonard, O.S.A., joined the hundreds of priests who were present for the ceremonies. In his eulogy, Father Daniel J. O'Mahoney, O.S.A., who worked with Father Leonard on the Mission Band, indicated, "I recall the pleasant memory of being assigned on some of these missions, and I can say truthfully that he made an ideal missionary….I asked one of his brethren in the Order what he thought was Father Leonard's predominant virtue and his prompt answer was, 'Kindness.'" 

Father Leonard was buried in St. Mary Cemetery, Lawrence. He was 72 years of age. 

James A. Leonard, O.S.A.

1862 – 1894 (March 22)

James Augustine Leonard, son of John Leonard and Helen Walsh, was born on Good Friday, April 17, 1862, in Lawrence Massachusetts, and was baptized on Easter Sunday in the Church of Saint Mary, Lawrence. On February 2, 1882, he entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pa., and professed vows on February 2, 1883. He studied in Rome, and, on April 9, 1887, he was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Parocchi at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran. Two of his brothers, Daniel and John also became friars of our Province.

Father Leonard served in the parish of Our Mother of Consolation, Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, and, in New York, at the parishes of Saint James Minor, Carthage, Immaculate Conception, Hoosick Falls, and Saint Patrick, Cambridge.

Father Leonard died in Cambridge, after a week’s illness, on Holy Thursday, March 22, 1894, at the age of 32. His funeral Mass was celebrated on Easter Monday at Cambridge, with burial the following day in Saint Mary-Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence, Massachusetts.