Julian E. and Adrian A. Riester

RIESTER, Brothers Julian E. & Adrian A., O.F.M. From the moment of their birth in Buffalo 92 years ago, twin brothers Julian and Adrian Riester rarely left each other's side. They played together, went to school together, as young men traveled cross-country together -- and, in their 20s, joined the Franciscan order together. And on Wednesday, after 65 years as identical twins wearing the identical brown robes of the Franciscans -- mostly at St. Bonaventure University -- Brother Julian Riester and Brother Adrian Riester died together at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg. Julian died Wednesday morning, followed by Adrian in the evening. The biological brothers were also religious brothers, committed to the monastic life of Franciscan friars, not as priests but in roles as physical laborers. During two stints at St. Bonaventure, from 1951 to 1956 and from 1973 to 2009, "the twins" were a common sight strolling in lockstep across campus. They became known as accomplished artisans who expressed their talents as gardeners and woodworkers, turning out tables and cabinets from their workshop in the garage of St. Bonaventure's Franciscan Friary. Brother Julian, whose given name was Jerome, and Brother Adrian, whose given name was Irving, were part of a family of seven children born to Dr. Julian Riester and his wife, Clara. Their father was a prominent obstetrician who as a medical student observed surgery on President William McKinley after he was fatally shot in Buffalo in 1901. They attended St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in the Town of Tonawanda. and then a radio technology school in Los Angeles before applying to the Franciscans' Holy Name Province. Toward the end of World War II, after mutually pledging to reply to whichever came first -- an acceptance from the Franciscans or an expected induction notice from the Army -- the morning mail brought an invitation to join the friars, and the afternoon mail "greetings" from the draft board. They were separated only twice, once from 1946 to 1951 when Brother Adrian was a sacristan at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Manhattan and Brother Julian was general manager of St. Anthony Shrine in Boston. Later they were not far apart in the 1950s when Brother Julian was assigned to St. Patrick's Parish in Buffalo and Brother Adrian to Bishop Timon High School in South Buffalo. But from 1956 on, the Riester brothers were together. Survivors include 5 sisters, Rhea Shaddock, Eunice Riester, Adrienne Rindfuss, Julienne Riester, and Virginia McCue, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends will be received at the Franciscan Friary, 357 2nd St. N, St. Petersburg on Sunday, June 5th from 2-5 pm with a prayer service at 4 pm. Funeral Mass will be Monday, June 6th at 10 am at St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. Burial to follow at St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Olean, NY. Online memorial & guestbook at www.brettfuneralhome.net BRETT FUNERAL HOME 727- 321-3321