Sister Bernadette Mary Donovan, OSF, passed away Aug. 25, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. She was born March 19, 1932, in Utica, the daughter of Gerald and Anne O’Hare Donovan. She entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on Feb. 2, 1951; was received into the congregation on Aug. 15, 1951; and professed her final vows […]
Msgr. W. Jerome Sullivan, longtime pastor of St. Mary of the Lake Parish in Hamburg, died Sept. 8, 2023. He was 87. The son of William and Gertrude (Walters) Sullivan was born July 17, 1936, in Cuba, N.Y. He attended SS. Peter & Paul School in Williamsville and the Diocesan Preparatory Seminary in Buffalo. He […]
Father Michael H. Burzynski, known for his vast collection of relics housed at St. John Gualbert Parish in Cheektowaga, died Sept. 4, 2023. He was 69. Born May 7, 1954, to Herman and Genevieve (Szeliga) Burzynski, he grew up attending Our Lady Help of Christians School in Cheektowaga. He went on to attend Bishop Neumann […]
Father Thomas J. Wopperer passed away on Aug. 21, 2023, at Brothers of Mercy Campus in Clarence after a brief illness. He was 85 years old. Born on Feb. 9, 1938, in Buffalo, Father Wopperer was the son of Frank C. and Rose M. (Durshordwe) Wopperer. He attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School and the Diocesan […]
Father James F. Keenan, SJ, who served as president of Canisius High School from 1989-1994, passed away Aug. 13, 2023, at the age of 86. Father Keenan was born on Jan. 9, 1937, in the Jackson Heights area of Queens. He attended Bishop Loughlin High School in Brooklyn, before transferring to the St. Philip Neri […]
Sister Eileen Lambert, OSF, passed away July 21, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse of Allegany. Born Ellen Lambert Nov. 30, 1927, in Ardnaboy, County Wicklow, Ireland, she was the daughter of Bernard and Julia Lambert. Sister Eileen entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany order on Sept. 8, 1964; was received into the Congregation on July […]
Deacon Lawrence P. Markowski, who served St. Bernadette Parish in Orchard Park for over 20 years, and died Nov. 25, 2022, is being laid to rest Friday, Aug. 18. The funeral was delayed as the Markowski’s waited for a time when the entire family could gather. Scott Markowski, son of Deacon Lawrence and Eileen (Smith) […]
Sister Anne Rothmeier, OSF, passed away July 18, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany. Born Rita Anne Rothmeier on Feb. 1, 1928, in Buffalo, she was the daughter of Albert and Anna Marie McMullen Rothmeier. Sister Anne entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany order on Sept. 8, 1952; was received into the congregation on Aug. […]
Sister Mary Thomas Frys, 91, a Felician Sister for 73 years, died in Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent in Buffalo on Aug. 10, 2023. The former Delphine Frys was born on Nov. 17, 1931, in Buffalo, to Florence (Lesinska) and Bernard Frys and was a member of St. John Kanty Parish, Buffalo, and later, Our […]
Deacon David C. Rotterman died unexpectedly on Aug. 9, 2023, at the age of 59. The Lancaster resident had been serving at Our Lady of Pompeii Parish for the past 10 years. He is remembered as a gentle person with a positive attitude and smile. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Dawn […]