Br. Patrick McCormack, OFM, 73, passed away Oct. 27 at Queen of Peace Friary in Burlington, Wisconsin.  

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Br. Patrick was inspired to join the Franciscan Order after a chance meeting with Br. Conrad Targonski, OFM, who had set up a vocation booth at the state fair. He made simple vows on Aug. 14, 1982. Br. Patrick always had a heart for the poor and marginalized, and after profession, he joined several other friars who served at St. Elizabeth Community Center in Rockford, Illinois. The center, which still operates today, does much to help the area poor with its various social programs and food distribution.  

Br. Patrick professed solemn vows on Aug. 8, 1986, and went on to attend Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, where he pursued an undergraduate degree in art and religious studies. From 1989 to 2004, he served on the faculty and as director of development at Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia. He returned to Burlington the following year to minister in internal services at St. Francis Friary.  

From 2005 until 2015, he served at the provincial headquarters of the legacy Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province in Franklin, Wisconsin, as director of communications and development. Br. Patrick then taught at St. Francis of Assisi School in Greenwood, Mississippi, until 2019, when he retired to Queen of Peace Friary.    

Br. Patrick is survived by his siblings Mike, Ann and Tim and Peggy McCormack, as well as many nieces and nephews, friends and friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Visitation for Br. Patrick will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 10 a.m., followed by Mass at 11 a.m. at Queen of Peace Friary. Burial will be in the friars’ cemetery in Pulaski, Wisconsin.  

 

A smiling friar wearing eyeglasses and a habit.

Br. Patrick McCormack, OFM