Brother Bernard Nicolosi, T.O.R., 82, of the Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, died December 23, 2019 at Garvey Manor, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, after an extended illness. He was the son of the late Joseph B. and Philomena (Gugliotti) Nicolosi.
Born in Passaic, New Jersey on October 5, 1937, Br. Bernard entered the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Loretto, Pennsylvania as a postulant in September of 1959. Responding to God’s call to be a lay brother, he professed his First Vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience on July 1, 1961, and then made his Solemn Profession of Vows exactly three years-to-the-day later.
Br. Bernard’s long and faithful life as a Franciscan friar was spent in humble service to his brothers and the Church. For over forty years, Br. Bernard served in various capacities across the Province, namely as treasurer at Holy Spirit Friary in Steubenville, OH; food service at Saint Francis Seminary in Loretto, PA; library staff at Bishop Egan High School in Fairless Hills, PA; and sacristan at Mount Assisi Friary in Loretto, PA. In addition, he served as the Local Minister at Mount Assisi Friary from 1992 to 1996. Generations of friars will remember him for his hard work and humorous spirit. Br. Bernard will be missed greatly by his community and family alike.
He is survived by his brother Br. Mark Nicolosi, OSB who is a Benedictine monk at Weston Priory in Weston, VT; as well as cousins, very close friends, and his Franciscan community.
The funeral Mass for Br. Bernard was celebrated on 31 December 2019 at St. Francis Friary at Mount Assisi, Loretto, PA with Minister Provincial Father Joseph Lehman, TOR as the principal celebrant and Fr. Peter Lyons, TOR giving the homily.