Obituary of Anthony R. Fedell

Rev. Anthony R. Fedell, O.F.M. "Franciscan priest, composer and pianist" Fair Lawn, NJ-- Rev. Anthony R. Fedell, O.F.M. of St. Anne Friary, 15-05 St. Anne St. in Fair Lawn died Friday (December 26, 2003) in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Paterson, NJ. Fr. Anthony suffered a heart attack December 24th. Born April 12, 1940 in in Salamanca, NY he was the son of Rocco and Phyllis Marino Fedell. Fr. Anthony was received into the Franciscan Order at St. Raphael Novitiate, Lafayette, NJ on July 14, 1959. He was ordained a priest on March 15, 1966 at the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, DC. Fr. Anthony’s musical career began when he was three years old as his mother, a piano teacher, began to instruct him. As a youth he performed on radio and on many stages in Western New York, culminating with a solo performance with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra at age 17. His musical training was taken at Fredonia (NY) State University College, Catholic University of America, University of Colorado at Boulder and Southwest University. It led to his receiving a Doctor of Musical Arts in composition. Fr. Anthony was a member of ASCAP and had been chairman of music departments and taught a variety of courses at Holy Name College, Washington, DC, St. Bonaventure University, Regis University and St. Thomas Theological Seminary. He directed many choirs, including the Denver Archdiocesan Chorale for nine years. Additionally, he received numerous commissions for musical compositions and arrangements, including a 1999 commission from the United Nations to compose a piece commemorating the International Year of the Worker. In his ministry Fr. Anthony also served at St. Francis Parish in Brant Beach, NJ, St. Elizabeth Parish in Denver, CO and St. Francis Church in NYC where he also served as musician in residence. In 1999 he moved to St. Anne Church in Fair Lawn, NJ where he served as accompanist until two years ago at which time he accepted the position of music director at St. Leo’s Parish in Elmwood Park, NJ. He will be remembered as a priest with quick wit and entertaining ways. Surviving is 1 brother Gerard Fedell. Fr. Anthony will be waked at the St. Bonaventure Church on Main St. in Allegany on Tuesday evening from 7-9pm where a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday (December 31, 2003) at 10:00am. Burial will be in the Friar’s plot in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean, NY.