Mario J. Porreca, O.S.A.

1913 – 1989 (December 19)

Mario Joseph “Paul” Porreca was born July 2, 1913 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one of two sons and two daugheters of Domenic Porreca and Vincenza Luonghi. He was baptized on April 16, 1916, at Saint Rita and received his elementary education at Saint Rita, Philadelphia. He did his high school studies at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, earning his diploma in 1932. He was received into the novitiate on September 9, 1932, and professed simple vows on September 11, 1933, and solemn vows on September 11, 1936. He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1937, and pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., from 1937 to 1941. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 1940. While studying theology, he also did graduate studies at the Catholic University of America, Washington, earning in 1941 an M.A. in Psychology.

Father Porreca's first assignment was in 1941 to the newly formed Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel as a teacher at Saint Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois. In 1943 he was transferred to Saint Thomas High School, Rockford, Il., and in 1948 to Cascia Hall, Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1963 Father Porreca returned to Saint Rita High School, where he remained until 1968, when he was appointed to Augustinian Academy, St. Louis, Missouri. He again taught at Cascia Hall, Tulsa, from 1969 to 1971, when he resumed teaching at St. Rita High School, Chicago.

After reaching the age of 70, his schedule was lessened, and his ministry centered on counseling students and serving as a chaplain at Saint Rita. During the night of December 19, 1989, Father Porreca suffered a coronary occlusion and died in his sleep. He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
 

Richard M. Plunkett, O.S.A.

1899 – 1993 (January 15)

Richard Michael Plunkett was born on September 19, 1899 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one of eight children of Michael R. Plunkett and Bridget A. Duffy. He was one of eight children. Richard was baptized in the church of Saint Agatha, Philadelphia on October 8, 1899 and attended the parish grammar school from which he graduated in 1914. He attended Roman Catholic High School, Philadelphia and following graduation in 1918, worked as a chemist at the Franklin Sugar Refining Company of Philadelphia for seven years. In 1925 at the age of 25 he entered Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, NY, as a postulant. One year later he was admitted to Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, N. Y., and professed simple vows on August 16, 1926. Three years later he professed solemn vows at Saint Mary's Hall, Villanova. In 1929, Richard graduated with an A.B. degree from Villanova College and began his studies in theology at Augustinian College in Washington, D.C. During the summer months he took graduate courses in sociology at nearby Catholic University. On June 14, 1932, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Emmett Michael Walsh in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington. The following year he finished his theology and was granted a master's degree in sociology from the Catholic University. Father continued his studies taking part-time graduate courses in chemistry and physics at Chicago University and music courses at DePaul University in Illinois. Later he took graduate courses in sociology and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Father Plunkett's first assignment was to the Province's secondary schools in the Midwest. From 1932 to 1935 he taught chemistry and physics at Saint Rita High School, Chicago, and from 1935 to 1939 at Saint Thomas High School, Rockford, IL, where he also served as vice-principal of studies and director of the school band. In 1939 he was appointed master of professed at Augustinian College, Washington D.C., where he also taught classes in liturgy. From 1945 to 1947 he was master of professed at Saint Mary's Hall on the campus of Villanova College. He continued teaching sociology and psychology at the college and was subprior at Saint Mary's until 1962. In that year Father Plunkett began parish ministry as assistant pastor of Saint Paul's in Mechanicville, N.Y. For the next 22 years he served in the parochial apostolate as pastor and prior of Our Lady of Angels, Jacksonville, FL; pastor of Resurrection of Our Lord, Dania, FL; and associate pastor at Saint John the Baptist, Shaghticoke, NY. Although semi-retired in 1973, Father served as associate pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Staten Island, NY; Saint Mary's in Lawrence, MA; and Saint Joseph's in Greenwich, NY.

In 1984, Father Plunkett, after suffering a series of angina attacks, retired to Saint Thomas Monastery, Villanova. Even in retirement he often made himself available as a temporary replacement in our parishes. As a member of the monastery community he assumed the responsibility of preparing the daily Mass for the infirm offered in the monastery chapel.

A reserved, almost shy person, Father Plunkett enjoyed playing the violin and on occasion showed evidence of his rich wit and wisdom. Deeply devoted to Our Mother of Good Counsel and Saint Augustine, he wrote on his last day the words clara cum laude notitia, clear knowledge with praise, a quotation from Saint Augustine's description of eternal glory. At the time of his death he was age 93.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on January 18, 1993, at the Church of Saint Thomas of Villanova. Father James Warne, O.S.A. delivered the homily. Interment was the following day in the Augustinian plot of Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.
 

Bartholomew M. Pizzuto, O.S.A.

1885 - 1947 (October 16)

Bartholmew Pizzuto was born in Valletta, Malta, on August 24, 1885, where he entered the Order and was professed as a member of the Maltese Province on August 24, 1903. He was ordained on June 3, 1909, and left for America in December, 1920, with two other Maltese friars, Fathers Aurelio Ciantar and Gelasius (Joseph) Bugeia.

Father Pizzuto’s first assignment as a member of the Italian Mission was to Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Church in Philadelphia. From 1931 to 1939 he was the pastor of Our Lady of Pompeii Church in Dobbs Ferry, New York. In 1939 he was named pastor of Saint Mary's Church in East Vineland and, among other projects, supervised the construction of a parish hall under the church. He also made improvements on the church and friary.

In October of 1947 Father Pizzuto became seriously ill and was rushed to Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia by Father Anthony Cirami and a parishioner. The operation was successful but post-operative infections set in and with these his death occurred on October 16, 1947. He was 62 years old.

Father Pizzuto had dedicated twenty-seven years of active ministry to the Vice Province of Philadelphia at the time of his death.

The bishop of Camden, Most Rev. Bartholomew Eustace, presided at the Solemn Funeral Mass after which Fr. Pizzuto was buried in the Augustinian section of Saint Mary Cemetery, East Vineland.

Charles H. Pickar, O.S.A.

1907 – 1975 (September 1)

Charles H. Pickar was born in Pottstown, PA, on May 18, 1907, to Bernard Pickar and Rose Adams. He was a member of the first novice class at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, NY, which began on August 15, 1925. He pronounced simple vows on August 16, 1926, and solemn vows on the same date in 1929. He graduated from Villanova College, Villanova, PA and was ordained a priest on June 14, 1932 in Washington, D.C,. Immediately after ordination he studied in Rome where he received an S.T.L. from both Saint Monica's International College and the Gregorian University. He also received the S.S.L. from the Biblical Institute in Rome.

Returning to the United States in 1937, Father Pickar was assigned to the Augustinian College in Washington DC, where he served in many capacities, as sub-prior, prior, professor, confessor, and counselor. He was elected Definitor of the Province in 1956. In 1965 he was assigned as prior of the community at Merrimack College, but his election that same year as Assistant General of the Order took him to Rome. He was re-elected Assistant General in 1971.

Father Pickar was a noted Biblical Scholar, and was an editor of the New American Bible. In June, 1975, ill health forced him to resign as Assistant General. Suffering a great deal from the pains of pervasive cancer, he entered Bryn Mawr Hospital and died suddenly on September 1 at the age of 68. More than 90 friars concelebrated his funeral Mass together with the Prior General, Vicar General, and the Priors Provincial of North America. Father Pickar was buried in the community cemetery at Saint Mary’s Hall, Villanova. His remains were later re-interred in the Augustinian Plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.

Father Theodore Tack, Prior General of the Order during Father Pickar’s term as Assistant General, and at the time of his death, spoke of him as “a true community man, who understood well Saint Augustine’s admonition that ‘the first reason for which you have come together is to live in harmony and to be of one mind and heart intent upon God.’ He loved the Order, and he sought to bring peace, harmony and happiness to his community and to each member in that community. He was gentle with all, easily approachable, a respect counselor, a friend to all his brother Augustinians.”
 

George J. Phillips, O.S.A.

1908 – 1999 (March 31)

George Joseph Phillips, son of Dennis P. Phillips and Elizabeth Ahn, was born on October 16, 1908, in Philadelphia, PA., and was baptized on November 15, 1908, in the Church of Saint Gregory. After he received his grammar school education in Philadelphia, he cared for his mother and worked in maintenance. On July 1, 1947, he entered the lay brother program at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, with the name ‘Brother Michael’. He spent two years as an oblate and then six months as a postulant. On July 26, 1950, Brother Michael entered the novitiate of Our Mother of Good Counsel, New Hamburg, New York, professed first vows on July 27, 1951, and then was assigned to the Parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Staten Island, N.Y., where he worked as sacristan and facilities manager. On October 26, 1954, Brother Michael professed solemn vows, and two years later he received an assignment to Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, where he served the community in a number of capacities, especially sacristan and care of the property.

On September 3, 1963, he was assigned to the parish of Saint Mary, Lawrence, Ma., where he spent the next twenty-nine years, an example to both the Augustinian community and generations of parishioners. In 1992, Brother Michael was transferred to Our Mother of Good Counsel Monastery, North Andover, Ma., and in 1994, to the Health Care Unit of Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery, Villanova, PA.

Brother Michael was a quiet, unassuming man known for his sense of humor, reliability and dedication to the various responsibilities he held. He fully appreciated the camaraderie of his fellow religious as well as the care he received upon retirement. Always prompt and thorough in fulfilling his duties, he was especially faithful to his vow of obedience and loyalty to his superiors. On one occasion, when his layman assistant was away, a friar asked in jest, "Brother, how are you doing, now that your boss is on vacation?" Without hesitation Brother Michael responded, "I have only one boss, and he's at the other end of this table." On another occasion he was asked why he selected "Michael" as his religious name, rather than retain his baptismal name. Without a moment's delay, he answered, "I got tired of hearing people say, 'Let George do it.'" While he resided in the Health Care Unit of Saint Thomas Monastery, a nurse brought his breakfast and through habit addressed him as "Father." She corrected herself and said apologetically, "Oh, Brother, I'm sorry, I forgot who you were." In his usually quick style Brother responded, "I know who I am. That's all that matters!"

Toward the latter years of his life, Brother returned to the use of his baptismal name. He passed away on March 31, 1999 at the age of 90. On Monday, April 5, 1999, a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in Saint Thomas of Villanova Church with interment the following day at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA. 

George J. Phelps, O.S.A.

1923 – 1942 (July 10)

George Kraus Phelps was born on June 19, 1923 in Rockford, Illinois to Schley Scott Phelps and Ethel Kraus. He was baptized on July 15, 1923 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Rockford, and received the first six years of his elementary education in the parochial school there. He completed grades 7 and 8 at St. Patrick Parish, also in Rockford, at which parish he was confirmed. He then enrolled in St. Thomas High School, Rockford, and after three years entered the Augustinian formation program at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, where he earned his high school diploma.

On September 9, 1941, George was received into the Augustinian Novitiate, and professed simple vows in the Order on September 10, 1942.  Following profession, he began collegiate studies at Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania.

After successfully finishing one year of college, Brother George and other members of the Augustinian community were vacationing at Sea Isle City, New Jersey. He was swimming in the Atlantic Ocean along with four other students when a high wave caused him to tumble over and a stiff undertow carried him away from shore.  Three of his fellow swimmers searched for him, while the fourth ran along the beach to the nearest lifeguard station for help.  Lifeguards and a crew from the Sea Isle City Coast Guard Station patrolled the area for two hours before the body was found washed into shallow water about a half-mile away. Artificial respiration was applied for two hours before he was pronounced dead. He was 19 years old.

Brother George was an excellent student and an accomplished musician. He played flute, piano and organ. His was the first death among members of the new Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel, founded in 1941.

Brother George is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.

Kieran T. Phelan, O.S.A.

1827 – 1915 (June 12)

Thomas Phelan, son of Patrick Phelan and Eleanor Eagan, was born in Kilkenny County, Ireland, in 1827. In 1848 he traveled to the United States, where, on February 9, 1849, he was vested at Villanova, and took the name Brother Kieran. Two of his sisters entered the Sisters of St. Joseph at Chestnut Hill.

For many years, Brother Kieran served at Villanova where he was in charge of the farm. In June, 1858, he was transferred to Lansingburg, New York, where he remained until May, 1859. He then returned to Villanova where he professed vows on June 7, 1860. He was known to the college personnel as "the Grand Old Man."

Brother Kieran died at Villanova on June 12, 1915 at the age of 88. He is buried there in the Community Cemetery.
 

Joseph K. Perry, O.S.A.

1909 – 1973 (March 17)

Joseph Kenneth Perry was born on August 17, 1909 in Fountain, Minnesota to John Perry and Mary Murphy Perry. He was baptized on September 19, 1909 at Saint Laurence O'Toole Catholic Church, Fountain. After receiving his elementary education in Filmore County public schools in Fountain, he studied for one year at Fountain Junior High School. He then enrolled in Saint John High School, Rochester, Minnesota, where he earned his diploma. In 1933, after working as a clerk, Joseph did post-graduate studies at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York. He was then received into Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, N.Y. on September 10, 1934. He professed simple vows on September 11, 1935 and solemn vows three years later. Joseph earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1939. He then pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He was ordained to the  priesthood on May 28, 1942. He did additional studies in English Literature and Engineering at Catholic University of America, Washington.

In 1943, Father Perry was assigned to Saint Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois.  He was transferred in 1946 to Saint Monica Seminary, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and he remained there until the time of his death in 1973. Among his positions held there over the years were Director of Monican Press, Sub-Master of Novices, and Director of Formation for Brothers.

Father Perry is remembered for his persistent yet fraternal efforts to prepare the Brothers for their life and work in a variety of community settings. He was a well-known preacher and retreat director in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. People found him to be wise and compassionate, and many visited St. Monica to seek his counsel.

Father Perry is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.
 

John P. Pejza, O.S.A.

1934 – 2009 (December 12)

John Philip Pejza was born in Neshkoro, Wisconsin, on August 5, 1934. In 1947, he and his parents Philip and Regina Pejza and his sister Mary Jean, who became a Sister of St. Joseph of Orange, moved to San Diego when Jack was almost a teenager. He attended St. Didacus junior high school and Saint Augustine High School. After graduation in 1952, he entered the novitiate and was professed in August 1953. Jack graduated from Villanova University in 1957, and after four years of theology at Augustinian College in Washington, D.C., he was ordained to the priesthood in 1961.

Father Pejza’s love for religious life and for the priesthood was evident to those who knew him. Although he spent most of his priesthood celebrating mass on Sundays at various parishes, most notably Saint Rita’s in San Diego and Saint Thomas Aquinas in Ojai, Father Jack was never assigned as a parish priest. He was an academician. From the time of his ordination he served in a variety of capacities, as teacher, administrator, business manager, board member, principal and president at five schools - including Malvern Prep in Pennsylvania, Central Catholic High School in Modesto, and Marian High School in San Diego. The lion share of his educational ministry was spent serving at Villanova Prep School in Ojai, and Saint Augustine High School in San Diego. In 1987 he earned a doctorate in education from the University of San Diego. He also served in various leadership roles within the Augustinian community. At the time of his death he was the director of the Augustinian Guild.

Jack was a person of many hobbies, including working on his family genealogy, an offshoot, most likely, of his lifelong keen interest in history. As a young Augustinian Jack wrote a number of historical treatises related to the Order. He loved gadgets, and was always on the cutting edge of radio and computer technology. Science was a major interest for him. He made sure, however, that his interests did not preclude him from volunteerism. He took an active role in the NCEA and was a loyal Rotarian, devoting much of his time to their good works.

Father John Philip Pejza suffered a heart attack in San Diego on December 12th and died soon thereafter. The wake was held at Saint Patrick’s Church, San Diego on Wednesday morning, December 16th, followed by the Mass of Resurrection. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery, San Diego.

John F. Payne, O.S.A.

1961 – 2014 (October 9)

John Francis Thornton Payne was born on June 27, 1961 in Washington, D.C., the son of Ellis Augustine Payne and Gloria Bernice Thornton, and the youngest of their five children. He was educated at Abram Simon Elementary School, Assumption School and, in 1979, graduated from Archbishop John Carroll High School. The following year he entered the formation program of the Province attended Villanova University, from which he received his B.A. degree in English. He was received as a novice on August 16, 1983 and made his first profession of vows on August 4, 1984. From 1984-1987 he attended the Washington Theological Union and earned an M.A. in systematic theology. He made his solemn profession on May 15, 1988, and was ordained to the priesthood on November 18, 1989 by Bishop John H. Ricard, S.S.J. at St. Augustine Parish, the Mother Church of African Americans. At this time he had already been ministering at St. Augustine and remained there as associate pastor until 1996. He was responsible for the widely-known music and liturgical traditions of the parish, and co-authored several pieces with the renowned songwriter Leon C. Roberts. During this period he was a member, of the Augustinian College Community in Washington. Later he became a member of St. Ezekiel Moreno Friary in Silver Spring, MD, and was assigned to St. Thomas of Villanova Friary, Villanova from 2008 until his death.

 In 1995 Father Payne became Director of the He Rose Project at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. He helped to increase scholarship opportunities for young men of color and worked to raise college acceptance rates. He also developed the Ennis Cosby Learning Center for parents and students, with a focus on introspection, empowerment and concrete goal setting.

In 2000 he was named Dean of Students at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and in 2007 Director of Student Affairs. In 2014, the Board of Directors appointed him Head of School, with an effective date of August 1, 2014. After a few short months in this latest position, Father John collapsed on Thursday, October 9, of an apparent heart attack, at the school. He was rushed to the hospital but died shortly after.

As the chancellor of Washington's public schools stated, "(Father Payne) had an abundance of faith in his students, showed them love every single day, and set an example that created a welcoming and thriving school community."

A wake was held on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at St. Augustine Church in Washington D.C.. His funeral Mass was celebrated at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington, D.C., on Monday, October 20, 2014, with 4,000 people in attendance. A memorial Mass was celebrated at the church of St. Thomas of Villanova on Friday, October 24, 2014. The celebrant was Father Michael Di Gregorio, O. S.A., Prior Provincial. Fr. Payne is buried in the Augustinian Plot at Calvary Cemetery, Conshocken, Pa.

Peter J. Paul, O.S.A.

1902 – 1964 (July 30)

Peter Joseph Paul was born in Astoria, Long Island, New York on February 5, 1902, the son of Joseph Paul and Rose Hofman. He received his early education at Cathedral College in New York. In September 1922, he entered Saint Rita's Hall in Villanova, Pennsylvania, as a postulant to begin the third year of college. He was accepted into the novitiate on October 10, 1923, and made his simple profession of vows on October 12, 1924. He wass solemnly professed on May 25, 1927, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 11, 1927 in the Cathedral in Philadelphia by Bishop Michael Crane, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia. He obtained his M.A. in History from the Catholic University of America in 1928.

For several months in 1928, Father Paul was sub-master at the novitiate in New Hamburg, N.Y. In 1929, he was assigned to Saint Rita's High School in Chicago, Illinois, where he lived while he worked on his Ph.D. in history at Chicago University. From 1947 to 1951, he was Professor of History at Villanova University. He later served at Saint Thomas Parish, Ojai, California from 1955 to 1956.

Father Paul was appointed prior of Augustinian Academy on Staten Island, N.Y in 1956. From 1959 until his death he was prior and pastor at Our Lady of Angels in Jacksonville, Florida He died on July 30, 1964 at the age of 62. Prior Provincial James Donnellon, O.S.A., was celebrant of his Funeral Mass at Villanova. Father Robert Regan, O.S.A. was homilist. Father Paul is buried at Villanova in the Community Cemetery.
 

Joseph M. Paquette, O.S.A.

1895 – 1968 (April 29)

Joseph M. Paquette was born in Hyde Park, MA, on July 19, 1895 to Daniel Paquette and Mary Ann White. He received his primary education at Saint Raphael School in Hyde Park. After the family moved to Prince Edward Island, Canada, he entered Souris High School and Saint Dunstan's College Preparatory School there. Joseph was received into the novitiate in July 1917, and made his profession of vows on July 23, 1918. He graduated from Villanova College in 1920 and did graduate work in Chemistry at the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, where he received his Master's degree in 1924. He was solemnly professed on July 23, 1921, and was ordained to the priesthood by Michael J. Crane, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, on September 22, 1923 at Saint Thomas of Villanova Church, Villanova, PA.

After a brief stay at Saint John's Church in Schaghticoke, New York, Father Paquette taught in various schools of the Order in Ojai and San Diego, California. Aurora, Illinois,  and at Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, PA. In 1936 he was appointed to Villanova College where he served as Assistant Professor in the Chemistry and Mathematics Department until his retirement four years later. During his tenure at Villanova, he spent a year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology completing his studies for his Master's of Science degree which he received in 1940. He was elected to the Honor Society of Sigma Xi, becoming a member of the M.I.T. Chapter. He also spent a year at the University of Chicago in 1946 taking special courses in Chemistry.

During sixteen years at Villanova, Father assisted faithfully in the parish of Saint Henry in Bayonne, New Jersey. He had a great love for the opera and often used his visits to the New York area to attend the Saturday afternoon performances at the Metropolitan Opera.Father Paquette died on Monday, April, 29, 1968, at Fairmont Farms Hospital in Philadelphia of an embolism. Prior Provincial, Father James Sherman, was principal celebrant of the Funeral Mass that was celebrated in Saint Mary's Hall Collegiate Seminary Chapel, Villanova, on Thursday, May 2, 1968. Interment was in Saint Mary's Hall Cemetery. His remains were later transferred to Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pa.
 

Filippo Pambianco, O.S.A.

1879 – 1952 (December 30)

Francesco Pambianco was born on July 2, 1879, in Costacciari, Perugia, Italy. He was received into the Order on November 6, 1894, followed soon after by his brother, and professed his vows as a member of the Province of Umbria on November 7, 1895, taking the name Filippo. He did his studies at Collegio Santa Monica, Rome, and was ordained to the priesthood on December 21, 1901. Having obtained the title of Lector, he taught in Viterbo and later at Borgo a Buggiano. On December 30, 1911, he was awarded the title of Regent by the Prior General. At the Chapter of the Province of Umbria in October 1913, he was elected a definitor in the term of Prior Provincial, Pio Santolini, and was elected to this same position at the Chapter of 1919. He joined the Italian Mission to the United States in 1920 or 1921 and served both at Our Lady of Good Counsel and Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Churches in South Philadelphia, and was named pastor of the latter parish in February 1926. He relinquished this post in 1927 but in the interval purchased two houses next to the church on Watkins Street to make room for a new friary. He also converted the basement of the church into a lower chapel to accommodate the growing numbers of parishioners. On November 14, 1926, in the Church of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, he was awarded the ring of a Doctor of Theology from Father Charles M. Driscoll, O.S.A.

Accused by Cardinal Dougherty of writing an anonymous letter critical of several priests, including the Cardinal himself, - which he strenuously denied - he was forced to leave the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and went to Augustinian Academy on Staten Island, from where he served as chaplain to a community of Italian sisters and occasionally travelled preaching missions and retreats. He was a scholarly man and wrote poems in Latin with great ease. A manuscript he was writing in his later years, "Letters to Jesus", has been lost.

Father Pambianco remained a member of the Vice Province until his death which occurred on December 30, 1952 in Staten Island. He was buried on January 2, 1953 at Villanova.

Dominic J. Palladino, O.S.A.

1919 – 1955 (May 19)

Dominic Joseph Palladino, son of Antonio Palladino and Pasqualina Caggiano, was born in Revere, Massachuseetts, on August 23, 1919. After attending public grammar and high schools in Revere, he entered the House of Postulants as a post-graduate student on Staten Island, New York in September, 1939. He was received into the novitiate on September 9, 1941, and made his simple profession of vows on September 10, 1942. Following studies at Villanova College from 1942 to 1946, where he received his A.B. in Philosophy, he entered Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He professed solemn vows on September 10, 1945, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1949 at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. by Bishop John McNamara. 

Father Palladino spent the summer after his ordination at Marianao, Cuba. He was then assigned in July, 1950, as an assistant at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish in Jamaica, N.Y. where he served for three years. In 1953, he was sent to teach at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C. 

On Thursday, May 19, the Feast of the Ascension, while on a crabbing trip on South River, Maryland, with another friar, Father John Skelly, and two Carroll students, the boat began to take on water and capsized. Father Skelly and one of the students swam more than a half-mile to shore, while Father Palladino drowned tyring, in vain, to save the other student, Joseph Monaldo. Joseph, a Carroll senior, was 18 years of age; Father Palladino was 35. The bodies of the two victims were recovered one week later.

More than 1,000 persons attended a Mass for Father Palladino in the auditorium of Carroll High School the following Tuesday. Father James Cain,  O.S.A., a classmate and also a member of the faculty, celebrated the Mass, and Father Frank Kelly, O.S.A., preached. Patrick O’Boyle, Archbishop of Washington, presided. A second Mass, for the benefit of the family, was celebrated in Saint Anthony Church, Revere, the home parish of the Palladino family, the previous day, by Father Vincent McQuade, O.S.A., President of Merrimack College, with Father John Lamond, O.S.A. as homilist.

A solemn high Mass of requiem was offered on Friday, May 27th, at Saint Mary’s Church, Lawrence, Mass., following the recovery of the bodies the previous day. Father Edward Stanford, rector of Carroll High School, was celebrant. Father Palladino’s parents, four brothers and two sisters were present. Burial followed in the Augustinian plot of Saint Mary's Cemetery in Lawrence, MA. 

Alfred A. Pacitto, O.S.A.

1906 – 1985 (October 29)

Alfred A.Pacitto, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 12, 1906, to Luciano Pacitto and Angelina Coia, and was baptized in Saint Paul’s Church on Christian Street on December 16. As a youth in the Parish of Saint Rita, he was one of the first boys sent to the Augustinian minor seminary, Staten Island, by Father Matthew Corcoran, O.S.A., of Saint Rita. He attended Saint Rita Grammar School and then entered the Augustinian Order at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island. After novitiate, he professed vows on August 16, 1927 and began philosophical studies at Villanova. Upon graduation from Villanova University in June 1931, he pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, DC, where he was ordained to the priesthood at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on June 12, 1934 by Bishop McNamara.

After ordination Father Pacitto was assigned to Holy Rosary Parish, Lawrence, Massachusetts. In 1938 he was transferred to the Colegio San Agustin, Havana, Cuba, where there was much unrest following the Batista takeover of the government. Despite the uneasiness he felt as a foreigner, he managed to teach classes during the week, to celebrate Mass on Sundays in Marianao, and to serve as an auxiliary chaplain during World War II. In that capacity, he was flown regularly from Camp Colombia, Marianao, to San Julian, at the eastern end of Cuba, to celebrate Mass at a U.S. Naval installation.In 1946, Father Pacitto returned to the United States and was assistant pastor in Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Staten Island. In 1950 he returned to Saint Augustine Church in Cuba and served there until 1961 when he was transferred once again to Holy Rosary Parish in Lawrence. Subsequent assignments were: Our Lady of Good Counsel, Staten Island from 1966 to 1968; Saint Augustine, Andover, Massachusetts in 1968; Our Lady of the Angels, Jacksonville, Florida from 1968 to 1975. In 1975, because of ill health he retired to the community at Monsignor Bonner High School, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. Later he took up residence at Merrimack College, North Andover, Massachusetts, and then at Saint Thomas Monastery, Villanova, Pennsylvania.

After a stroke and lengthy illness Father Pacitto died at Fitzgerald-Mercy Hospital on October 29, 1985. He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
 

Nicholas D. Osuna, O.S.A.

1934 – 2001 (February 8)

Alexander Daniel Osuna, son of Alexander Osuna and Jessie Romero, was born in San Diego, California, on May 28, 1934. He was baptized in the church of the Immaculate Conception, attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish School and Saint Augustine High School, all located in San Diego. While at Saint Augustine's he was a member of the Yearbook staff, band, manager for track and J.V. Football. After graduating from high school in 1954, he entered the Order and began his oblature and postulancy at the community of Saint Augustine, San Diego. In 1958, he began his novitiate at New Hamburg, New York, and professed first vows on January 23, 1959, choosing Nicholas as his religious name. Brother Nicholas professed solemn vows on January 23, 1962. 

From 1959 to 1964, Brother Nicholas was assigned to Saint Augustine, San Diego, where he was the community sacristan and maintained the school property. From 1964 to 1966, he became a member of the Villanova Preparatory School community in Ojai, California, where he served as sacristan and continued his maintenance skills. From August 1966 to June of 1969, Brother Nicholas became a vital part of the new house of studies at Camarillo, CA., where he maintained the property and procured and prepared food for the community. He was assigned to Mount Augustine Retreat House on Staten Island, N. Y., from June 1969 to August 1971. There, he continued his service in maintenance and took on the task of driver, which included transporting personnel and retreatants to and from the Staten Island Ferry and assisted in the organizational details for the retreat center. In August 1971, Brother Nicholas was assigned to Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Staten Island, and in April 1973, to Our Mother of Good Counsel Community in New Hamburg, N.Y. There, he supervised the maintenance of the four buildings and the
99-acre property. After brief assignments at Austin Preparatory School, Reading, Mass., Saint Thomas of Villanova, Rosemont Pa, and Saint Augustine Friary, Villanova, Pa, Brother Nicholas was assigned, in 1984, to Saint Thomas Monastery, on the campus of Villanova University. There, he assisted the older friars, introduced and maintained community projects, and worked as sacristan for the parish and university. His carpentry and machinery skills were expressed in creative designs, repairs and grounds keeping. 

Brother Nicholas had expressed his desire to join the Order when he witnessed the commitment of friars in community living, especially in their exercise of common prayer. Following the example of the religious he met in his youth, he lived a life of dedication to internal community ministry. Although, during his later years, progressive illness reduced his daily schedule, he never lost his sense of humor.  

Brother Nicholas died on February 8, 2001, at Bryn Mawr Hospital, Pa. A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at the campus church of Saint Thomas of Villanova, and burial took place at the Augustinian plot, Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pa. 

John M. O'Sullivan, O.S.A.

1853 – 1880 (November 28)

John Mary O'Sullivan, the son of Thomas O’Sullivan and Mary McLaughlin, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on June 3, 1853. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania on Septmber 22, 1876, and professed simple vows on September 23, 1877. He was solemnly professed at Saint Mary's in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on Septmber 24, 1880.

John O’Sullivan was 27 years old when he died in Lawrence on Sunday morning, November 28, 1880, of consumption. He is buried at Saint Mary's in Lawrence.
 

Daniel J. O'Sullivan, O.S.A.

1859 – 1926 (April 8)

Daniel James O'Sullivan, son of James Sullivan and Mary Dennis, was born on April 2, 1859, in Greenmount, County Cork, Ireland. When he was still a boy his parents immigrated to Lawrence, Massachusetts, where he received his early education in St. Mary's parish school. On July 3, 1882, he entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pa., professed first vows on July 4, 1883, and solemn vows on July 5, 1886. According to the records in the province archives, Father Sullivan began using O'Sullivan as his sir name beginning with the signing of his Will & Testament, dated June 15, 1915, and continuing throughout the rest of his life. On November 17, 1886, Daniel was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Patrick J. Ryan, in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, Pa.

On December 3, 1886, Father O'Sullivan was assigned to St. Augustine Parish, Troy, New York. In 1888, he was assigned to the Augustinian Mission Band and served that ministry for several years, while a member of the Villanova community. In 1890, he was appointed sub-prior at St. Augustine Parish in Philadelphia, Pa., where, in 1894, he became the treasurer. In 1898, Father O'Sullivan was appointed pastor of Our Mother of Consolation Parish in Chestnut Hill, Pa. From 1902 to 1917, he was pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Mechanicville, New York, where he directed the construction of the new church, encouraging his parishioners with these words. "Let us prepare to build a new church worthy of the God, whose home it is to be, and a fitting monument of faith and zeal of the people of this parish." Later, Father O'Sullivan looked back on his sixteen years at St. Paul's parish as most fruitful and enjoyable in his forty years as an Augustinian priest. In 1918, he was selected to be the pastor of St. Mary's Church, Waterford, New York. In 1922, he was assigned Prior and Pastor of St. Augustine, Troy. 

Father O’Sullivan died on April 8, 1926 at the age of 67. The Lawrence newpaper article that announced his passing, said, "His enthusiasm and magnetic personality instilled in those with whom he came in contact a respect and admiration that could not be mistaken." Prior Provincial Nicholas J. Vasey  was the celebrant of the Solemn Requiem Mass which was celebrated in the church of St. Augustine, Troy, New York, in the presence of more than a hundred priests from states including Michigan, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York and the District of Columbia. Sisters of St. Joseph, Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of Charity were members of the congregation. Several town officials, including the mayor, were present along with the Knights of Columbus and hundreds of parishioners from the surrounding districts. Father John A. McErlain, O.S.A. preached the homily, and interment was in St. John's Cemetery, Troy. 

Patrick F. O'Shea, O.S.A.

1900 – 1942 (December 14)

Patrick Francis O'Shea, son of John O’Shea and Sarah Hughes, was born in Braddock, Pennsylvania, on October 10, 1900. He attended Saint Brendan’s Parochial School and Braaddock High School, and then entered Saint Rita's Hall at Villanova as a postulant, in 1917. He was received into the novitiate on June 27, 1920, and made his simple profession on June 28, 1921. He was solemnly professed on June 28, 1924 and, after completing his studies, was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral in Philadelphia by Bishop Michael Crane, Auxiliary of Philadelphia, on June 11, 1927. He then completed graduate work in history at the Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

Father O'Shea was assigned to Saint Rita Parish in Chicago, Illinois, in 1928. Later he taught at Cascia Hall in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but ill health forced him to relinquish teaching at the end of the school year. In 1930 Father O’Shea became an assistant at Saint James Parish, Carthage, New York, and after five years was transferred to Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish, Rosemont, Pa. In 1937 he was appointed assistant at Saint Mary's Parish, Lawrence, Massachusetts.
 
Father O'Shea was 42 when he died on December 14, 1942 following an emergency operation at Braddock where he had been visiting his mother. A Requiem Mass was celebrated in Saint Brendan’s Church, Braddock, on Wednesday, December 16th after which Father O’Shea’s body was brought to Villanova where Father Joseph Hickey, O.S.A., Assistant General celebrated the Funeral Mass the following day. Father Charles Shine, O.S.A. preached the sermon. Father O’Shea was buried in the Community Cemetery at Villanova.

Father O’Shea always took a great interest in ministering to the young people of the parishes where he was stationed. In Carthage, New York, he successfully championed the cause of the children who walked to the Catholic schools from the rural districts, and saw them provided with bus transportation together with public school students. In Rosemont and Lawrence he organized study clubs and societies for the youth.
 

Terence J. O'Rourke, O.S.A.

1937 – 2004 (December 21)

Terence Joseph O'Rourke, son of John O'Rourke and Elizabeth O'Brien, was born on February 9, 1937, on Staten Island, New York. He was baptized on February 21, 1937, in the church of the Immaculate Conception and received his early education at that parish school. From 1951, to 1955, he attended St. Peter's High School, Staten Island, and then entered Augustinian Academy there as a post graduate postulant. He entered the novitiate of Our Mother of Good Counsel, New Hamburg, N.Y., professed simple vows on October 30, 1956 and solemn vows on October 30, 1959. In June 1960, he received a B.A. degree from Villanova University. He then studied theology at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., graduating with an M.A. degree in Religious Education in May 1964. He also earned an M.A. in History from Villanova University. On February 1, 1964, Terence was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John Maguire at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Bronx, New York.

In August 1964, Father O‘Rourke was assigned to Monsignor Bonner High School, Drexel Hill, Pa., where he taught theology, history and economics. In September, 1968, he began parochial ministry at St. Mary's Parish, Lawrence, Ma., where he directed the C.C.D., the CYO, and served as chaplain to Central Catholic High school and the Lawrence City Jail. He also worked with those suffering from drug addiction. In July 1969, he returned to Monsignor Bonner High School where he taught theology, and later joined the faculty at Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, Pa., where he taught theology and history. He also taught at Archbishop Carroll High School, Washington, D.C. From 1976 to 1980.

Father Terry served as Director of the House of Prayer in St. Patrick's Parish in Oswego, N.Y. During the sickness of his father, he taught at Bishop Moore High School, Staten Island. From 1981 to 1994, he served as chaplain at Kings County Hospital Center, Brooklyn, N.Y. He assisted at the parishes of St. Clare, Our Lady Star of the Sea, and Holy Child, Staten Island, St. Monica's Parish in Johnsonville, N.Y., and at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish in Atlantic City, N.J. From 1997 until he became seriously ill, Father Terry served at St. Ann Parish on Staten Island, N.Y. He died on December 21, 2004 at the Hospital for Joint Diseases, Manhattan.

The Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on December 24, 2004 at Father Terry's home parish of Immaculate Conception Church, Staten Island. Interment was at his family's cemetery plot at St. Peter's Cemetery, Staten Island, New York.