SAINT BONAVENTURE, N.Y. — The Saint Bonaventure University Community is mourning the loss of Fr. Dan Riley, OFM.
Franciscan Friars confirmed to 2 On Your Side that Fr. Dan passed away on Wednesday.
He first joined Saint Bonaventure as a freshman in 1960. Fr. Dan later returned to work at the school. In 1974, he founded the Warming House in Olean, a student-run soup kitchen.
In 1984, he was the driving force behind the creation and purchase of Mount Irenaeus, Saint Bonaventure's retreat home in West Clarksville.
In addition to his on-campus ministry, Fr. Dan was also a published author. He released his first book "Franciscan Lectio: Reading the World through the Living Word" in 2022.
Fr. Dan was a Rochester, New York native, and graduated with a degree in philosophy from Saint Bonaventure in 1964.
In the announcement that he would serve as commencement speaker in May 2023, Saint Bonaventure referred to Fr. Dan as, "one of the most beloved Franciscan friars in university history" and "the charismatic face of St. Bonaventure for more than 50 years." Fr. Dan received an honorary doctorate during the ceremony where he delivered his commencement speech.
At the time, University President Dr. Jeff Gingerich referred to Fr. Dan with fondness.
"I can't think of a better living embodiment of all that's good about St. Bonaventure than Fr. Dan," he said. "And I can't think of anyone more deserving of this honor. The impact he's had on our students, both while they were here and long after they left as alumni, is immeasurable."
Many students will remember Fr. Dan wearing his brown robe around campus, his huge smile, and his loud and contagious laughter.
In a statement, the Franciscan Friars of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province said:
"It is with great sadness that we share that our brother Daniel Riley, OFM, 81, embraced Sister Death on July 24. Daniel lived in Holy Peace Friary, where he was a former guardian and a founding friar of Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Mountain Retreat. Daniel made his simple profession on July 15, 1966, and his ordination on September 11, 1971. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Please keep Daniel, his family and friends in your prayers."
Dr. Gingerich also released a statement late Wednesday on Facebook, which reads:
I write to you tonight with a heavy heart.
Father Dan Riley, OFM, founder and animator of Mt. Irenaeus and one of the most beloved friars in the history of the university, passed away today (Wednesday, July 24, 2024). He was 81 years old.
A professed friar for 58 years and a priest for 53 years, Father Dan was a 1964 graduate of St. Bonaventure. Aside from two provincial assignments in the mid-1970s, he spent his entire career at the university (1971-1974; 1978-2024).
In my two years at St. Bonaventure, I have been overwhelmed with so many stories about the impact that Father Dan had on so many students and members of our community. His boundless passion for life, his ability to see the good in everything, was something I’ll always admire.
I’m so grateful we were able to honor him at our Commencement ceremony in 2023 with an honorary degree, an award he so richly deserved.
We will share details about services for Father Dan when they become available.
I ask you all to please keep Father Dan’s family, friends and friar brothers in your thoughts and prayers.
Pax et bonum,
Jeff Gingerich, Ph.D.
Funeral services were announced on Friday.
A visitation and wake is scheduled for Thursday, August 1 at the Saint Bonaventure University Chapel from 3 p.m. -7 p.m. A vigil prayer service will follow in the Chapel from 7 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., with a meditative reflective and sharing session in the Doyle Conference Room from 7:45 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
On Friday, August 2, and alternative visitation will be held in the University Chapel from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be held in the University Chapel at 11 a.m., with crowd overflow diverted to the Quick Center. A reception following the funeral will be held at Hickey Dining Hall after the Mass.
Events in the Chapel will be livestreamed, but an address for that livestream has not been released.
