Obituary of Brother David J. Haack, OFM

Br. David J. Haack, O.F.M. St. Bonaventure, N.Y. — Br. David J. Haack, O.F.M., beloved friar, faculty member of St. Bonaventure University, and artist, passed away Wednesday (July 20, 2016) at Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J. Br. David was born April 18, 1946 in Kewaunee, Wis., and was the son of Edward A. and Eileen Haack. He was raised in Wisconsin and pursued his education at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. He undertook graduate studies in Studio Art at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree, as well as a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Syracuse University. His passion for education in the arts culminated in 1999 with a Ph.D. in Humanities and Art History from Syracuse University. Br. David also responded to the call to religious life, professing simple vows with the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province in 1982, and solemn vows on June 20, 1987. His teaching assignments began at St. Francis parish and school in Wanaque, N.J., in 1985 and later at St. Camillus School in Silver Spring, Md., in 1986. He continued at Bishop Timon High School in Buffalo from 1987 to 1990. He taught art and music and, in 1990, began teaching as an assistant professor at St. Bonaventure University until his retirement in 2013. He had remained an artist-in-residence at the University and continued to paint and operate Haack Studiolo. In addition to his love of teaching, he created many works of art with Franciscan themes and landscapes. Locally, his commissioned work is part of the decor at St. Mary of the Angels Church and St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, and he displayed his art at the University's faculty exhibits. He had also displayed his work in collections of the Franciscan Curia in Rome, as well as in Kenya and from California to New York City. Previously, he also had solo exhibits at Catholic University and the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, Ind. His hobbies included gardening, woodworking, and music. Br. Haack is survived by a brother Charles Haack of Fredonia, Wis., and a sister Ricarda Haack of Cedar Grove, Wis. and several nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Monday (July 25, 2016) from 9-10:30 a.m. at the St. Bonaventure University Chapel. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. Fr. Kevin Mullen, O.F.M., Provincial Minister of Holy Name Province, will be the principal celebrant, and Fr. Xavier Seubert, OFM, will be the homilist. Br. David will be laid to rest in the Friars’ plot at St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Friar Fund, care of St. Bonaventure University.