+Friar Romulus Rosolowski, OFM Conv.
+Friar Romulus (Leonard Anthony) Rosolowski, OFM Conv., 77, a Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y. Born in Buffalo on Sept. 15, 1946, he was the eldest son of the late Leo and Florence (nee Zielinski) Rosolowski. After graduating from Bishop Ryan High School in Buffalo in 1964, he entered the Novitiate of the Conventual Franciscans in Ellicott City, Md., professing first vows on August 15,1965.
He completed his undergraduate studies at St. Hyacinth College Seminary in Granby, Mass., during which time he professed solemn vows on August 15, 1968. After earning a bachelor’s degree in 1969, he traveled to Rome, where he studied at the Pontifical Faculty of Saint Bonaventure (“the Seraphicum”) until 1973. He completed his M.Div. at St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer N.Y., in 1974. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 11, 1974.
His first assignment as a friar-priest was to the high school apostolate, teaching at Cardinal O’Hara in the Town of Tonawanda, N.Y., between 1974 and 1976. He then served as associate pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in Buffalo, until 1979, when he requested to work in the province’s mission in Ghana. He served in West Africa from 1979 to1983.
The remainder of Friar Romulus’ ministerial priesthood was spent in parochial settings: St. Francis of Assisi, Hamburg N.Y. (1983-86); St. Casimir, Baltimore Md., (1986-91); pastor of St. Paul Church, Atlas Penn. (1991-94); administrator of St. Stanislaus Kostka, St. Michael and St. Mary parishes, Shamokin Penn. (1994-95); co-pastor of St. Paul, Kensington Conn. (1995-96); pastor of Holy Family, St. Casimir & Emerich, and Șt. Columba parishes near Hooverville, Penn. (1996-2005); a second stint at St. Francis in Hamburg (2005-2008), and his final assignment was at Our Lady of Victory Basilica, Lackawanna N.Y. (2008-2023).
Friar Romulus is survived by his siblings, Robert (Kristin), Sr. M. Rosalind Rosolowski, CSSF, Dennis, David (Patricia) and like a brother to Mark Yourdon. He is also survived by loving nieces and nephews Thomas (Jessica), Natalie, Wade (Kathryn), Chelsey (Justin), Hannah (Erik); great nephew Parker; cousins, parishioners, many friends and the Conventual Franciscan Friars.
Visitation hours will be held Thursday, Nov. 2, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Our Lady of Victory Basilica (767 Ridge Rd., Lackawanna N.Y., with a Franciscan Wake Service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Our Lady of the Angels Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv., on Friday, Nov. 3, at 10 a.m., in the basilica, followed by burial in Saint Stanislaus Cemetery in Buffalo.
The funeral will be live streamed: https://youtube.com/live/BivxwDxQ0SU.
