Father Francesco (Frank) M. Papa, CRSP, 84, of the Barnabite Fathers at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Lewiston, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Niagara Hospice House. Born in Tocco Caudio, Benevento, Italy, he was the beloved son of the late Giuseppe and Filomena (Saccomanno) Papa. Father Papa studied theology at […]
Sister Mary Alexine (Celestine) Machowicz, died peacefully on Tuesday July 8, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Convent in the 93rd year of life and the 72nd year of religious life. Mary Alexine Machowicz was born on May 18, 1932, in Detroit, to Alexander and Martha (Kosch) Machowicz. On Jan. 25, 1952, she became a postulant and […]
Sister Beth Ann Finster, SSJ, teacher and campus minister, died suddenly at Mercy hospital July 1 at age 77. Born in Buffalo Oct. 20, 1947, Sister was the first child of John and Mary Agnes “Babe” (Zink) Finster. Her father was a captain in the Buffalo Fire Department. Following her graduation from Mount St. Joseph […]
Father Richard Poblocki, who had served the Cheektowaga area as associate pastor, pastor and school administrator, died June 29, 2025. He was 67. Born Sept. 29, 1957, in Buffalo to Richard I. and Helen (Boczar) Poblocki, Father Poblocki attended St. John the Baptist School in Alden for four years before entering Millgrove Elementary. He went […]
Sister Maura Fortkort, who spent nearly 50 years as teacher and administrator, died June 21, 2025, at Mount St. Mary Hospital, Lewiston. She was 93. The former Maryann Fortkort was born May 17, 1932, in Buffalo to Albert and Mary (O’Donnell) Fortkort. After graduating from the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, Sister Maura entered […]
Sister Mary Anthony Schifano, who molded young minds for 56 years as a teacher, died June 4, 2025, at Mercy Center in South Buffalo. Born May 4, 1937, in Jamestown as Theresa Margaret Schifano to Anthony and Grace (Viello) Schifano, Sister Anthony attended Willard Street School and Jefferson Junior High, and Jamestown High School. She […]
Father Czeslaw M. Krysa, known for sharing his beloved Polish culture and traditions, died June 9, 2025. He was 70. He was born Sept. 12, 1954, in Niagara Falls to immigrant parents Stanislaw and Sophia (Magdziak) Krysa. He attended Holy Trinity Elementary School and Bishop Duffy High School in Niagara Falls. Father Krysa went on […]
Msgr. James F. Campbell, who served as the longtime rector of St. Joseph Cathedral under three bishops, died June 4, 2025. Born in South Buffalo on Sept, 9, 1930, the son of James E. Campbell and Mildred (Sutton) Campbell studied at Buffalo State Teacher’s College during the start of the Korean War. Not wanting to […]
Sister Barbara Marie Juszkiewicz, 71, a Felician Sister for 53 years, died in Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Buffalo, on May 27, 2025. She was born on Oct. 20, 1953, in Buffalo, and was a member of St. Ambrose Parish. She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on Aug. 6, 1972, and professed […]
Sister Sandra Makowski, the first non-cleric to receive a degree in Canon Law and first non-cleric to work in the Buffalo Diocese Tribunal, passed away May 16, 2025, at Mercy Hospital. Born June 12, 1947, in Binghamton to John Makowski and Jean Ann Doyle, Sister Sandra entered the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur with […]
