Br. Paul D. Crawford, OFM Cap.

The Capuchin Franciscan friars of the Province of St. Mary mourn the death of their brother, Br. Paul D. Crawford, OFM Cap., who passed from this life on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Valhalla, N.Y., at the age of seventy-two.

Brother Paul was born to Paul and Mary Manning Crawford in Boston, Mass., on Feb. 9, 1952. He and his siblings grew up in Dorchester, Mass., where he attended St. Margaret’s School, then Gate of Heaven High School in South Boston. Years later, he received his B.S. in human services from Springfield College, Springfield, Mass., and an M.S.W. degree in social work from Boston College.

Brother Paul entered the Capuchin order on Aug. 31, 1969, and pronounced perpetual vows on Sept. 4, 1976. Much of his initial formation was spent at St. Anthony Friary in Hudson, N.H., where he was entrusted with the traditional duties of a lay brother, including laundry and tailoring. After nearly three years of domestic work at Sacred Heart Friary, Yonkers, N.Y. (1975-78), he became porter at St. John the Baptist Friary in New York City. For the next nine years he ministered to midtown Manhattan’s transient residents, establishing the St. John Bread of Life Food Pantry. He was also involved in the charismatic renewal movement.

For 33 years, from 1987 to 2020, Brother Paul faithfully served the people of God in Manchester, N.H. He was a pastoral associate, youth minister, and religious education director at Blessed Sacrament Parish (1987-2002) and an outreach coordinator for Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Manchester (2002-11). He held other offices in the diocese as well. From 2002 he resided at St. Anne-St. Augustin Friary and served for six years as guardian of the Capuchin fraternity.

Brother Paul was a longtime advocate for social justice, serving as president of the board of directors of the Franciscan Action Network in Washington, D.C., and past president of the Granite State Organizing Project in Manchester.

Brother Paul resided at St. Clare Friary, Yonkers, N.Y., from July 2020 until his death. He was pre-deceased by his parents and survived by his brother Kevin and his sister Marcia Fallon; four nieces and one nephew; and four grand-nephews and four grand-nieces.

The wake will be held on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m., at St. Clare Friary, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, N.Y. The funeral will be celebrated on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers.

In place of flowers, donations can be made to the Province of St. Mary in memory of Br. Paul Crawford in support of the continued good works of the Capuchin Franciscan friars. You can send your donations to the Capuchin Mission & Development Office, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY 10703.