Reverend Dr. Roger HAAS

HAAS - Reverend Dr. Roger "Fr. Roger" died peacefully under home-hospice after a long bout with cancer, at St. John Kanty Friary, Clifton, NJ, on September 6, 2013. He was 72. Born in Buffalo, NY, on September 5, 1941 son of the late Walter and Lucy (Brzezinski) Haas, Father Roger made his Novitiate at St. Joseph Cupertino Friary, in Ellicott City, MD, from 1960-1961. He professed his Simple Vows as a Franciscan Friar on August 15, 1961, and his Solemn Vows on August 15, 1964. He was Ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Christopher J. Weldon, in the Chapel of St. Hyacinth Seminary, Granby, MA, on December 20, 1969. Father Roger's ministerial life was devoted primarily to teaching. He received am S.T.B. in Theology from the Pontifical Faculty of St. Bonaventure in Rome Italy in 1968. He received an M.A. in History from the University of Bridgeport, CT in 1971, and a M.Th. (Theology) from St. Anthony-on-Hudson, Rensselaer, NY in 1972. He was most proud of his Ph.D. in History from Rutgers University in 1989. He taught at Kolbe High School in Bridgeport, CT from 1970-71. He was the Associate Pastor at St. Stanislaus Parish, Trenton, NJ from 1971-1972 and was Teacher at St. Francis High School from 1972-1973. He was an Instructor in History at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary from 1973-1989 while also teaching at St. Anthony-on-Hudson Rensselaer, NY. In 1989 he moved to the Buffalo area and was both the Director of Campus Ministry at Daeman College and Instructor at D'Youville College from 1989-1992. From 1992 through 1997 he was an Instructor and involved in Formation Ministry at Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, NY. He was welcomed by the parochial community at St. John Kanty Parish, Clifton, NJ in 1998 where he has served as Parochial Vicar until his death. Fr. Roger was a member of the Perez Council Knights of Columbus Council # 262, Passaic and a Fourth Degree Member of the Msgr. Stein Assembly. Fr. Roger will lie in state at St. John Kanty RC Church, 49 Speer Ave. Clifton. on September 10, 2013, 3-8 PM, with a Franciscan Wake Service at 7 P.M. Funeral Wednesday 11 AM at St. John Kanty Church. At his request, he will be buried at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY. Committal Prayer Service Thursday 11 AM, in St. Stanislaus Mausoleum Chapel. Fr. Roger will then be laid to rest in the Friar's plot, near his parents. Memorial Donations in Memory of Fr. Roger, may be made to the: Franciscan Education Burse, 12300 Folly Quarter Rd. Ellicott City, MD 21042. Arrangements are under the direction of the Shook Funeral Home, 639 Van Houten Ave., Clifton. www.ShookFH.com