Msgr. Leo F. McCarthy, a highly decorated priest known for his work with youth athletics, died on May 21, 2023. He had served 64 years of priestly ministry. Born Nov. 19, 1932, in Lackawanna, the son of Daniel and Verna (Schlatter) McCarthy attended St. Vincent School in Springbrook and St. John School in Alden. He […]
Father George L. Reger, pastor emeritus of Blessed Trinity Church, died May 19, 2023. Born April 17, 1942, to Lawrence and Eva (Schwender) Reger, Father Reger attended Public Schools 39 and 37 in Buffalo. Following that, he attended the Diocesan Preparatory Seminary for high school and two years of college. Father Reger earned a bachelor’s […]
Father Julio M. Ciavaglia, CRSP, rector emeritus of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, died April 13, 2023, in Niagara Hospice House. Born Nov. 5, 1937, in Niagara Falls to Pasquale and Lucia (Fabi) Ciavaglia, Father Ciavaglia graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1957. He entered the Barnabite Novitiate […]
Sister Mary John Lawicki, 91, a Felician Sister for 72 years, passed away in Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, Cheektowaga, on March 25, 2023. The former Irene Lawicki was born on Sept. 13, 1931, in Buffalo, to Marie (Szymanski) and Leon Lawicki, and was a member of St. Stanislaus Parish. Sister John entered the Buffalo […]
Sister Marion Karl, OSF, former teacher and librarian, died March 27, 2023, at the age of 98. The daughter of the late Casper and Josephine (Andrews) Karl was born May 12, 1924, in Buffalo. She graduated from Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart in 1942, then three years later entered the Sisters of St. Francis […]
Sister Paula Marie Notarthomas, OSF, died March 11, 2023, at the age of 91. She had been a Sister of St. Francis for 72 years. Born February 4, 1932, Sister Paula Marie was raised and educated in Syracuse. In 1951, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis of Williamsville. She earned a […]
Sister M. Colette Rhoney, OSF, who taught in Erie and Niagara counties, died March 6, 2023, at the age of 91. Born June 22, 1931, to D. Vincent and Gertrude (Braas) Rhoney in Niagara Falls, Elizabeth Rhoney attended the Seminary of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Stella Niagara, before joining the Sisters of St. […]
Sister Patricia Marie Hartley, OSF, educator, hospital public relations manager and pastoral care assistant, died March 3, 2023. Born Carol Hartley on Dec. 18, 1936, Sister Patricia Marie was the third child on Zita and Carl Hartley. Carol spent her childhood in Tonawanda and attended St. Francis of Assis School graduating in 1950. She went […]
Sister Janet Bielmann, a Sister of Mercy for 67 years, passed away Jan. 8, 2023. Her ministry took her to schools in the Diocese of Buffalo, as well as the Philippines. Born Dec. 1, 1937, to George J. and Matilda (Reihle) Bielmann, Sister Janet attended classes at Mount. St. Joseph College (now Medaille University) in […]
Sister Nancy Walsh, OSF (formerly Sister Mary Gerard), a lifelong teacher and Franciscan Sister of the Neumann Communities, embraced death Jan. 21, 2023. She was 92 years old. Born in South Buffalo, Sister Nancy was the only child of Allen and Grace (O’Malley) Walsh. She attended St. Theresa’s grammar school and Mount Mercy Academy in […]
