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YONKERS, N.Y. – The Rev. Philip J. Fabiano, O.F.M. Cap., 78, of the Capuchin Franciscan Friars of the Province of St. Mary, died Monday, May 4.
Frederick Fabiano, the son of Carmine and Angelina Palumbo Fabiano, was born in New York City on April 17, 1937.
He attended Our Lady Queen of Angels Elementary School in East Harlem, and St. Mary Seminary High School. He entered the Capuchin Franciscans at St. Lawrence Novitiate, Milton, Mass. on Aug. 31, 1955, where he received the religious name "Philip." He attended St. Anthony College Seminary, Hudson, New Hampshire and pronounced perpetual vows Sept. 1, 1959.
He studied theology at Mary Immaculate Friary and was ordained to the priesthood at Monastery Church of the Sacred Heart, Yonkers, on Jan. 11, 1964. Following his ordination, he ministered as a parochial assistant at Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady Queen of Angels and St. John Vianney. During this time, he began his studies at Fordham University in religious studies.
In 1970, he was assigned to St. Michael Parish, East New York, as an associate pastor and vicar of the friar community. In 1976, he received a master's degree in education from St. John's University. From 1977-1981, he attended Cathedral College, where he received a master of divinity degree. In 1978, he was appointed pastor and guardian of St. Michael Parish/Friary, Brooklyn, N.Y., and was instrumental in the East Brooklyn Church's initiation of the Nehemiah Houses Program.
At the Provincial Chapter of 1984, he was elected as vicar provincial minister and appointed guardian of St. Conrad Friary, White Plains, until 1987. At the Chapter of 1987, he was elected provincial councilor and appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Yonkers, where he ministered until 1993. While pastor of Sacred Heart, he became actively involved in Yonkers Interfaith Education and Leadership, which offered an opportunity for involvement by citizens of the City of Yonkers in the then current housing and discrimination crisis.
He ministered as a campus chaplain at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Conn.; parochial assistant at St. Michael in Brooklyn; chaplain at St. Rose Home and parochial assistant at Our Lady of Sorrows, Manhattan; and parochial vicar at St. Joseph the Worker, E. Patchogue, N.Y. He ministered at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Miami, Fla., for 14 years. Before his death, was about to begin his new ministry as chaplain at Leo House, a Catholic guesthouse providing hospitality to travelers whose staff includes the Sisters of St. Agnes.
He is survived by his sister, Lucy; and his sisters-in-law Marie and Rosemarie.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May 8, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home, 168 Park Ave., Yonkers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in Yonkers on Saturday at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the continued health care of the senior friars at St. Clare Friary, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY 10703.
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