Obituary of Fr. Francis Storms

Fr. Francis Storms, OFM, Longtime Bonaventure friar ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - Fr. Francis Storms, OFM, died Thursday afternoon (March 23, 2006) at Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J., after a long battle with cancer. He was 63. Fr. Francis was the assistant to the president at St. Bonaventure University for the last 13 years, and served in that capacity until going to the friary in New Jersey on March 4 to spend his final weeks. Born November, 17, 1942, in Paterson, N.J., he was the son of Thomas F. and Elizabeth Oldham Storms. Fr. Francis was received into the Order of Friars Minor on Feb. 1, 1963, and was ordained Dec. 6, 1975, at St. Francis Church in New York City. He earned his master's in theology from St. Bonaventure in 1973 and joined St. Bonaventure University’s theology faculty in 1975, when he was also named assistant director of the graduate theology program. During his 31-year professional career at St. Bonaventure, he served the university in a number of roles. Fr. Francis was appointed assistant registrar in 1977, and named registrar in 1978. He also spent four years as guardian of the St. Bonaventure Friary (1979-83), served as executive vice president under Fr. Mathias Doyle, OFM, from 1983-87, and represented the university as president in 1985 when Fr. Mathias took a sabbatical. Fr. Francis took a year leave in 1987 to pastor a church in Rochelle Park, N.J., before returning to St. Bonaventure in 1988 as associate dean for enrollment management. He was appointed acting director of records in 1991 before Sr. Alice Gallin, OSU, named him assistant to the president in 1993 during her tenure as interim president. He is survived by a brother, Gerald (Carol) Storms, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, John F. Storms. A liturgy for family and friends will be held at St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church in Butler, N.J., on Saturday (March 25, 2006). An Office of the Dead and viewing will be held at the St. Bonaventure University Chapel, Doyle Hall, at 9 a.m. Tuesday (March 28, 2006), followed by a Eucharistic Liturgy at 10 a.m. Burial will be held at St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Holy Name Friary, 2 Morris Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean, NY.