Obituary of Brother Nathanael Necaster

Br. Nathanael Necaster, OFM, 86, a professed Franciscan friar for 57 years, died on Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J. He was born in Farrell, Pa., on Sept. 3, 1930, to Lawrence and Concetta Palanti Necaster and baptized Lawrence John at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Farrell. He graduated from Farrell High School in 1948 and attended Dana Music School at Youngstown State University in Ohio for two years, studying piano and organ. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953, he entered St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., where he studied for two years. At that point, he decided not to go on for ordination and so continued his formation at the Province’s training school for lay brothers, St. Stephen’s Friary in Croghan, N.Y., from 1955 to 1957, where he learned several trades. Br. Necaster professed his solemn vows in 1962 and in 1965 he was assigned to Christ the King Seminary where he would remain for the next 28 years – at its original location on the campus of St. Bonaventure University and then when it relocated to East Aurora in 1974. While attending Olean Business Institute in Olean for a year, he undertook his duties as secretary to the rector. He eventually became director of records and registrar at the seminary. He also participated in the liturgical programs as an organist/pianist, and he was director of music for the Renewal Retreat Program for communities of Franciscan Sisters during the summer months. On weekends, he served as organist at various parishes in the area. He then was assigned to locations in New York City and later in New England where music ministry continued to be important to him. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday at St. Anthony Church in Butler, NJ. A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, Sept. 19, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Bonaventure Church, 95 E. Main St., Allegany, with Fr. James Vacco, OFM, as presider and Fr. Gabriel Scarfia, OFM, as homilist. Burial will follow at St. Bonaventure Cemetery in Allegany. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean.