Siena College is saying goodbye this week to a beloved member of its community, Fr. Capistran Hanlon, O.F.M., Ph.D. Hanlon, or “Fr. Cap” as he was known, died last Thursday at Holy Name Friary in New Jersey at the age of 81.
“As one of the many long time friar-professors who served the College so well and faithfully for over 40 years, we give thanks for the service he gave not only to the College but also to many local groups and organizations,” said Siena College President Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D. “We cherish his memory and are encouraged by his example of what it means to be a friar-educator.”
Hanlon taught in the departments of sociology and social work at Siena and was the first professor to receive an endowed chair at the College, the Kiskis Chair. Hanlon was also an accomplished photographer and his work was exhibited in Siena’s Yates Gallery.
“He not only taught sociology and anthropology, he taught lessons about life, love and death,” said Associate Professor of Histroy Fr. Daniel Dwyer ’74, O.F.M., Ph.D. “He loved all kinds of people: police officers, Native Americans, archaeologists, anthropologists, married and engaged couples, the Maori and the Irish, but most of all, he loved God.”
Hanlon was received into the Order of Friars Minor in 1953 and professed his first vows a year later. He was ordained into the priesthood in 1960.
While at Siena, Hanlon took an active role in the community by volunteering as chaplain with local law enforcement and the Albany County Ancient Order of Hibernians. “Our brother Capistran will be greatly missed by the people he ministered with and to over his many years of faithful service as a Franciscan Friar,” said Fr. Mark Reamer ’83, O.F.M., D.Min., guardian of the St. Bernardine of Siena Friary. “He was a man of great compassion, especially for those who were hurting.”
Hanlon also served through weekend ministry at St. Mary’s Church in Albany where he participated in the Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation Program, the Engaged Encounter Weekend Program and the Marriage Tribunal. “He cared and people loved him for it,” said Fr. Julian Davies, O.F.M., Ph.D.
St. Mary’s parishioner Stacey Muscatto and her husband Jim met Hanlon about nine years ago and selected him to officiate their wedding. Muscatto remembered that he made them feel at ease throughout the marital process and even sat at the head table during their wedding reception. They maintained a close relationship with Hanlon throughout the years.
“He was so funny, kind and down-to-earth,” Muscatto said. “He helped to bring Jim and I closer together and helped to bring our entire family closer to God.”
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday (2/12) at 11 a.m. at St. Mary of the Angels Chapel at Siena College, with Provincial Minister Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D. serving as the principal celebrant.
