Peter John Toscani, was born to Bernardo Toscani and Philomena Bracale, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 7, 1921, and was baptized there in the Church of Saint Rita. From 1927 to 1935, he attended Saint Edmond Parochial School, and then entered Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, N.Y.
David Duffy was born on February 24, 1931, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of William J. Duffy and Genevieve Colvey. He was baptized March 22, 1931, in Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Philadelphia, and attended St. Laurence Parish School, Upper Darby, Pa. He began high school at West Catholic High School, Philadelphia, Pa., in 1944, and transferred in 1946 to Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, Pa. Upon graduation in 1948, he was admitted to Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, for a year of post-graduate studies, before being received into the Order as a novice at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, N.Y. He professed simple vows on September 10, 1950, and began studies at Villanova College, graduating in 1953 with an AB degree in philosophy.
Frederick Francis Commins was born in Carthage, New York on July 4, 1871 to Richard Commins and Mary Conway. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania, in September 1891, and made his first profession on September 4, 1892. Three years later, he made solemn profession on September 19, 1895. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 1896 by Archbishop Patrick Ryan at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.
James Alexander Darragh, son of Charles Darragh and Catherine McDonald, was born in New York City, November 19, 1838. He was received as a novice at Villanova on September 22, 1856, and pronounced vows in the Order on October 15, 1857. Along with James Waldron, O.S.A., he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop James Wood in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, May 26, 1861
James Daniel Clark was born August 14, 1911 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Francis S. Clark and Regina Twibill. He was baptized August 26, 1911, at Star of the Sea Church, Atlantic City, and was confirmed on May 6, 1922 in the Chapel of the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was a student. After beginning his high school education at Saint Joseph Preparatory School, Philadelphia, James transferred to Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, as a postulant, from which he graduated in 1930.
Ernest Joseph Autch, son of John A. Autch and Mary Quinlisk, was born in Pocantico Hills, New York, on August 23, 1901. In addition to two brothers, he had one sister, who became a Dominican nun, Sister Mary Vincentia. Ernie was educated in public schools of the Bronx, and attended Morris High School and Woods Business School.
Thomas Joseph Dillon, son of William Dillon and Catherine Mullen, was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, on October 13, 1931. He received his early education at Saint Patrick School, Malvern, Pa., and then Malvern Preparatory School where he was elected class officer and a member of the student council. After graduation he entered Augustinian Academy on Staten Island, New York, as a post graduate, in September, 1949. The following year he entered Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York and made his simple profession of vows on September 10, 1951. In September 1954, he professed solemn vows.
Jan Henricus Busch was born on August 26, 1924 of Arnold J. Busch and E. A. Masion in Dordrecht, The Netherlands. He attended St. Antonius School in Dordrecht, and then the Gymnasium Augustinianum from 1936 to 1942. He entered the novitiate of the Dutch Province on September 9, 1942, professed simple vows on September 10, 1943, and made solemn profession on September 12, 1946. From 1942 to 1949, he did his theological studies in his home province, and was ordained to the priesthood on March 12, 1949, at Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
1926 – 2016 (November 20) Eugene Anthony Del Conte was born on May 21, 1926, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Antonio Del Conte and Maria Baratta. He had two brothers and one sister, and was baptized on July 4, 1926, at Saint Donato Church, Philadelphia. He attended William Welsh Grammar School, Thomas Junior High […]
1939 – 2016 (October 12) Maximo Jose Ortiz, O.S.A., was born on October 8, 1939, in Havana, Cuba, the son of Maximo Ortiz and Sylvia Ramirez-Cartaya Ortiz de la Fuente, and was baptized on January 1, 1940 at the Cathedral of Havana. He attended Colegio de la Salle, Havana, Cuba, from 1944 to 1952, and […]