Fr. Mathias Doyle, O.F.M., a professed Franciscan friar for 58 years and a priest for 54 years, died on June 16 at Siena College.
"Fr. Matt Doyle first and foremost was a Franciscan," said Fr. Kevin Mullen '75, O.F.M., Ph.D., Provincial Minister of Holy Name Province and former Siena College president. "He held numerous leadership positions, achieved many accomplishments, and made significant contributions in every community he served. All of it flowed from his commitment to be a humble servant who tried to follow in the footprints of St. Francis in living the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was blessed to have Matt as a teacher, mentor, and a brother. When Sister Death came to him, Matt, following the example of St. Francis, welcomed her without fear because he knew and believed in God's love and the promise of eternal life. As he moved into the fullness of life, I know he heard the words - "well done good and faithful servant."
Fr. Mathias entered the Franciscans after graduating from Siena College in 1955 and was ordained in 1962. After teaching for two years at St. Francis College in Rye Beach, N.H., he received his M.A. degree from the Catholic University of American in 1965 and his Ph.D. in Politics from the University of Notre Dame in 1968.
His first assignment after completing his degrees was at Siena, where he taught political science and served as co-Director of the Franciscan Formation program. In 1972 he was elected guardian of the Franciscan community at the College. Fr. Mathias was then appointed to St. Bonaventure University’s Board of Trustees, and was elected the 17th president in 1975: the youngest (then 41) to hold that position. In 1990, he returned to the Bonaventure faculty as a professor of political science.
“His leadership style was quiet and lacking in drama but his steady hand on the wheel kept the university moving forward while integrating new demands and welcoming new generations,” said Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., university president. “The fact that Matt was happy to live out his days at Siena says much about his commitment to higher education. I was always grateful for his warm welcome and supportive words.”
In the fall of 2007, Fr. Mathias returned to Siena where he served as Director of the Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy. In this role he worked directly with the students to serve not only the Capital Region, but the global community. He held this position until 2011, although he remained on campus and continued to assist the Center as well as the Capital Region community.
Fr. Mark Reamer, Siena College Guardian of the St. Bernardine of Siena Friary, echoed the sentiment of Sr. Carney, “Fr. Mathias was a gracious man who died as he lived, calmly, peacefully and with gratitude to God for the gift of his life. We will miss his kind and gentle presence in the friary.”
The wake for Fr. Mathias will be held on Saturday, June 18 from 7 - 9 p.m. at the St. Bernardine of Siena Friary and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on June 19 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary of the Angels Chapel. A burial will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menards, NY 12204.
St. Bonaventure University: Fr. Mathias Doyle, third-longest tenured president in St. Bonaventure history, dies
Holy Name Province: Funeral Services for Fr. Mathias Doyle
