Priests |
Mannis, James B., C.S.C. Born Jan. 16, 1921 in Hinsdale, NH of John and Josephine (Duggan) Mannis. He was baptized in St. Joseph’s Church in Hinsdale, NH. He was the brother of Kathleen (Mannis) Thurston, late of Beacon. His family moved to Beacon in 1939. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946 in the Aluetian Islands. Attended Kings College in Wilkes Barre, PA for a year then transferred to Notre Dame and entered the Congregation of the Holy Cross. He made his first profession of vows August 16, 1948 and his final profession August 16, 1951. He completed his studies at the University of Notre Dame and at Holy Cross College in Washington DC. He was ordained as a Holy Cross Father on June 4, 1955 in Philadelphia by Archbishop John O’Hara, C.S.C. Offered his first Mass in June 1955 at St. John’s. Served in the Family Rosary Crusade with Fr. Patrick Payton, C.S.C. based in Albany, NY from 1955 to 1965. He served as chaplain at several institutions where his sense of humor and deep personal interest in each patient made him particularly effective. His most enjoyable assignment was to St. Raphael’s Hospital in New Haven, CT (1974-1992). Fr. Mannis passed away Dec. 29, 2007 at Holy Cross House on the Notre Dame Campus in Indiana where he had lived in declining health for several years. He is buried in the Holy Cross Community Cemetery on the campus of Stonehill College, Easton, MA. (Most of this information was provided by his brother Jerry Mannis and obtained from his obituary in the Poughkeepsie Journal of January 3, 2008.) |
Dooner, Richard Denis, O.F.M. Cap. Born June 18,1935 of Michael and Margaret (Wilson). Denis wanted to become a priest from a very young age. He loved music and was a good dancer and a talented vocalist. He entered the Capuchins from the Stigmata Province in 1953 and studied in Geneva, NY, Beacon, and St. Bonaventure University. He then transferred to St. Mary‘s Province of the Capuchins and entered their novitiate in Milton, MA August 31, 1956. After completing his studies in Garrison, NY, he was ordained January 11, 1964 as a Capuchin (O.F.M. Cap.) priest. He offered his First Mass on January 12, 1964 at St. John’s Church. His previously stated desire to serve as a missioner in Okinawa seemed in jeopardy when he suffered a lung collapse. He spent two years in Tokyo to learn the Japanese language, then a short three years as a missionary in Okinawa. He liked the Japanese people but returned to the U.S. because of persistent sickness. He was able to assist at Our Lady Queen of Angels in NYC for a short time. There he cooperated with a Japanese priest to offer Mass twice a month for the Japanese Catholics living in NYC. His breathing problems persisted and he was sent to Mesa, AZ where he assisted with pastoral work until his energy began to fail. Pain became his daily lot. In union with Jesus on the Cross, he offered the physical suffering and the inconvenience of the treatments as a penance in preparation for the eternal life which he knew was imminent. Supported by the presence of a friar who was a classmate, he spent his final days in prayerful gratitude to an all-merciful God for the redemptive grace that had sustained him during his long struggle. A peaceful death ended a life that was frequently filled with illness and disappointments. Died 7/12/1984 and is buried in the Friars Plot, Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yonkers, NY. (Most of this information was provided by Sr. Anna Daly, SHCJ, Archivist of the Capuchin Friars of St. Mary’s Province.) |
Brothers |
Rock, Aloysius Michael, F.S.C.: He was born in Beacon on July 23, 1902 of Ellen Kiernan and Charles Rock. At baptism in St. John's parish on July 28 he was named Aloysius. After graduating from elementary school in Newburgh in 1914 he entered the junior novitiate of the Christian Brothers, then at Pocantico Hills NY. He was invested with the religious habit of the Brothers on August 14, 1918 and given the name Brother Cajetan of Jesus. He made his perpetual profession in 1927 at Pocantico Hills NY. From 1918 until 1929 he taught in various elementary schools; at St. Peter's and Epiphany in Manhattan, St. James in Brooklyn, and St. Joseph's in Detroit, as well as serving for one year as a cottage prefect at Lincoln Hall in Westchester County NY. Beginning in 1929 he was assigned to high school teaching first at St. Joseph's in Manchester and then at St. Augustine's in Brooklyn. He eventually earned a BA degree from Manhattan College in 1935 and received Library Certification from St. John's University in 1937. In 1935, he began a stay of 25 years at La Salle Academy in New York City as teacher and librarian. In these positions he influenced thousands of city teenagers by his enthusiasm, the intensity of his devotional life, and the eloquence of his speaking voice, more often than not directed against what he saw as the plague of communism. As librarian, no student was allowed into his library without wearing the scapular of Our Lady and carrying the rosary. Years later many of his former students credited him with a life-long habit of carrying the rosary. After only one year at St. Peter's Staten Island, in 1961 Br. Cajetan was assigned to St. Raymond's in the Bronx where he remained for 19 years, mostly as librarian and in auxiliary services, but still vigorously promoting Catholic devotional practices and opposing the threat of communism. Finally, in 1980 he retired to De La Salle Hall in Lincroft, NJ. By 1985 he was bedridden until he breathed his last on March 22, 1993 at 90 years of age. He was buried in the Brothers' plot at St. Gabriel's Cemetery in Marlboro, N.J. (Information provided by Br. Luke Salm, FSC, Archivist for the NY Province of the De La Salle Christian Brothers.) |
Balfe, James Gordon. F.S.C: Born 9/18/1930 of James and Gertrude (Hartney) Balfe. Graduated from St. John’s in 1944 and from St. Patrick’s High School in 1948. He at once entered the Brothers of the Christian Schools (FSC) in Barrytown, NY and was invested with the religious habit and given the name Brother Albeus Timothy. He made his final profession in 1955 at age 25. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Latin & Greek from Catholic University, and a master’s degree in Latin from Fordham University. He taught sixth grade for two years at Sacred Heart Grammar School in the Bronx and then two years at Manhattan Prep. In 1957, he began a long career in the formation and training of the young brothers. According to the eulogist at his funeral (Br. Brendan Gerrity, F.S.C), “he was one of the most significant Brothers in shaping the thinking and direction of the Long Island-New England district (of the Christian Brothers) for over 40 years. These many years he touched so many minds and hearts by his excellent teaching, warm personality, gently guidance and his friendly good humor. Many of us remember his great expertise in telling jokes” He served as Assistant Dean of the School of Theology at Catholic University from which he had earned his Licentiate Degree in Sacred Theology. Over his career, Br. Timothy served in many different roles within the order including doing family and individual counseling from 1987 to 1997. In 1997 he suffered a stroke that left him unable to speak and wheelchair bound. Again from the eulogy, “A brilliant mind now trapped in his body with few options for any communication. Tim suffered a brief night of the soul yet his life-long devotion to prayer, his complete trust in a loving God and gentle prodding led him to acceptance and peace.” He died 10/26/2002 and is buried in the Christian Brothers Cemetery in Narragansett, RI. (Most of this information was provided by Br. James Loxham, FSC, Archivist for the Long Island-New England Province of the De La Salle Christian Brothers.) |
Chaya, Henry Jr., F.S.C.: Born 7/2/1951 of Henry and Ruth (King). Baptized 7/22/1951 at St. John’s. Entered the Brothers of the Christian Schools (FSC) in 1976 and professed his vows in 1982. Taught Computer Engineering at Manhattan College for 20 years. He remains on the faculty of Manhattan College in the College of Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. Currently assigned as Chairman of the Computer Information Systems Department at Bethlehem University in the West Bank. |
Sisters |
Sinabaldi, Dorothy Born 3/20/1933 of Emil and Dora (DeRose). Baptized at St. John’s 5/7/1933. Graduated from St. John’s in 1946. Entered the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1952. Taught at St. Monica’s in NYC, in Illinois, and at St. Peter’s in Rosendale where she completed 46 years of teaching. Currently retired from teaching but assisting at St. Peter’s Parish. Plans to retire soon (when she becomes 75 years old). |
January 2008 Compiled by Edward D. Archer |