Rev. Bernardine C. Kessing

Rev. Bernardine C. Kessing, O.F.M

CALDWELL, N.J. - The Rev. Bernardine C. Kessing, O.F.M., age 89, a professed Franciscan Friar for 68 years, and a Catholic Priest for 62 years, died Saturday (Oct. 15, 2022) at St. Catherine of Siena Nursing Home, Caldwell, after an extended illness.

In retirement, Father Bernardine had previously resided at St. Anthony Friary, Butler; and the former Holy Name Friary, Ringwood.

Born Donald G. Kessing, Jan. 1, 1933, in Cincinnati, Ohio, he relocated to Elmira, N.Y., graduating from St. Mary's Grammar School in 1946, and Elmira Catholic High School in 1950.

Father Bernardine entered St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., ultimately receiving a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy degree from St. Bonaventure University in 1957. He completed theological studies at Holy Name College, Washington, D.C. Following priestly ordination in 1960, Father Bernardine served the parishioners of St. Anthony's Church, Butler, as associate pastor, 1963-1970; then became pastor, 1970-1976.

After a three-year assignment at Sacred Heart Church, Rochelle Park, Father Bernardine likewise fulfilled pastoral roles at St. Anne's Church, Fair Lawn, first in 1979-1985, then returning in 1999-2003.

A call to ministry in western New York state came in 1985 when Father Bernardine was appointed Pastor of St. Bonaventure Church in the Village of Allegany, N.Y., adjacent to the St. Bonaventure University campus, and the city of Olean, Cattaraugus County. He held this post until returning to Fair Lawn in August 1999.

Ministry to members of his Franciscan Community became Father Bernardine's next work when he became Guardian, or local religious superior, at the St. Anthony Residence, a retirement house for senior friars in Boston, Mass. He remained there until moving to St. Anthony Friary, Butler, in May 2012.

Healthcare concerns caused Father Bernardine to relocate to Holy Name Friary, Ringwood, in May 2017, until moving to St. Catherine of Siena Nursing Home in Caldwell in March 2019.

Father Bernardine is survived by his Franciscan confreres in Holy Name Franciscan Province. Ten nephews and nieces also survive, including Stephen Kessing of Roanoke, Va., Virginia Sheehe of Elmira and Mary Jo "Jodi" (Jack) Quigley of Clarence Center, N.Y.; and a niece-in-law, Rita Kessing of Lebanon, Conn.

He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Rose Wanstrath Kessing; a brother, Frank (2008); and sister-in-law, Helen, Frank's wife, who died in 2007. Also deceased are two nephews, Paul Kessing (2010) and Robert Kessing (2020).

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Wednesday (Oct. 19, 2022) at St. Anthony's Church in Butler. A Memorial Mass for Father Bernardine is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday (Oct. 25, 2022) at St. Bonaventure Church, 95 E. Main St., Allegany. Viewing will precede the mass from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will be in the Friars' Plot at St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany.

Local arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean.