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1904 – 1996 (February 24)

Francis Gabriel Di Matteo, son of Anthony Di Matteo and Filomena De Ascentis, was born on September 12, 1904, in Macedon, New York, and was baptized on October 9, 1904, in the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua in Rochester. He received his early education at the Seymour Street School, the Lincoln School and the school of the Holy Family, and later worked for a brief time in Auburn, New York, and also in West Chester, Pennsylvania. “Dominic,” as he is known to most Augustinians, made a visit with his parents to a family residence in Ponzano, Italy, and was called to serve in the peace-time Italian Army. After thirteen months of military service he returned to the United States and, in 1929, entered Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, as a postulant. He began his novitiate year on September 9, 1932, professed first vows on September 11. 1933, and three years later made solemn profession.

1834 – 1904 (February 24)

Peter Crane, son of James Crane and Mary O’Connor, was born in Bannow, County Wexford, Ireland, on July 20, 1834. He was the fourth of the five Crane brothers to join our Order. Together with his brother Mark and Thomas Galberry, he entered the novitiate at Villanova on January 1, 1852, and professed vows on January 4, 1853. He was ordained to the priesthood at Villanova in the Old Chapel of 1844 by Bishop John Neumann on November 1, 1857.

1934 – 1999 (February 20)

Minoru Akakura, son of Matthias Kiyosuke and Johanna Chie, was born on November 22, 1934 in Nagasaki, Japan, and entered the Order in 1960. He made his profession of vows on January 29, 1963, the first Japanese to profess vows in the Order in over 300 years. He made his solemn profession on the same date in 1967 and served as a brother in the various communities of the Order in Japan.

1869 – 1913 (February 16)

Edward Philip Flynn, son of James Flynn and Rosanna Carney, was born in Mechanicville, New York on February 24, 1869. He was baptized by Father Filippo Izzo, O.S.A. in our church in Mechanicville four days later. He entered the novitiate in Villanova, Pennsylvania on August 28, 1887, and made his simple profession on September 2, 1888. He was solemnly professed on September 2, 1891, and was ordained to the priesthood on January 6, 1892 by Archbishop Patrick Ryan at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.

1913 – 1993 (February 16)

Edward Francis Farrell was born January 12, 1913 in Chicago, Illinois to Martin Farrell and Mary Toomey. After his elementary education he entered Saint Rita High School, Chicago, from which he graduated in 1931. He then studied for two years at Chicago Teachers College, and was received into the novitiate on September 9, 1934. He professed simple vows on September 10, 1935 and solemn vows September 10, 1938.

1860 – 1888 (February 13)

William Alexander Carr was born in Greenwich, New York, to Michael Carr and Mary Howard, on July 13, 1860, and was baptized in Holy Cross Church in that city. Following his early schooling, he enrolled at Villanova College in 1878, and graduated with an AB degree in 1880. He entered the novitiate at Villanova in October of that year, and professed simple vows on October 3, 1881, and solemn vows on October 5, 1884. He was ordained in the Philadelphia Cathedral by Archbishop Patrick Ryan on January 11, 1885. 

1929 – 1993 (February 12)

James Patrick Elliott and his twin brother Thomas were born on July 21, 1929, in Atlantic City, New Jersey to James P. Elliott and Delia Lavin. James was baptized on August 4, 1929, at Saint James Church Ventnor, N.J. He attended Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish school and, after graduation in 1943, spent a year at Holy Spirit High School in Atlantic City, N.J. In September, 1944, he transferred to Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, where he was accepted as a postulant. In 1947 he graduated and in September entered the novitiate of Our Mother of Good Counsel, New Hamburgh, New York. He professed simple vows on September 10, 1948 and three years later solemn vows at Saint Mary’s Hall, Villanova, Pa.

1900 – 1957 (February 12)

John Haldane Crawford, son of Charles P. Crawford and Hannah M Gavin, was born on May 5, 1900, in Tignish, Prince Edward Island, Canada, where he was baptized on May 13, 1900. The Crawford family moved to Lawrence, Massachusetts, where John received his early education. He attended Lawrence Public Schools for six years, Saint Mary’s Parish School for two years and then two years at Saint John Preparatory School, Danvers, Mass.

1928 – 1995 (February 12) John William Geary was born in Lowell, Massachusetts to John W. Geary and Agnes O’Donnell, on June 24, 1928. Following his early education at Saint Augustine Parochial School, Lawrence, Mass., Lawrence High and Central Catholic High School, he was received as a novice on September 9, 1947 and professed first […]