Francis Yacobi, OFM Cap., 1949-2022
Our brother Francis Yacobi, OFM Cap., died at AGH West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, on Saturday evening, December 31, 2022, following several months of declining health. He was 73.
Francis was born to Xavier Francis and Anne (Petty) Yacobi on May 11, 1949, in South Bend, IN, and was baptized at St. Joseph Church, the family’s parish.
He attended Catholic elementary schools in Indiana and Illinois, graduating from Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, IL, in 1967. Frank earned Business Administration degrees in marketing and management at Northern Illinois University.
Discerning a vocation to Capuchin life and the priesthood, Frank was accepted into the Capuchin formation program and took pre-theology courses at Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe, OH, from 1983 to 1984.
In 1984 he was invested as a Capuchin novice at St. Conrad Friary, Allison Park, PA. Frank professed temporary vows as a Capuchin friar on July 13, 1985, and perpetual vows on August 2, 1988 with our brothers Michael Greb, OFM Cap., and David Nester, OFM Cap.
Gary Stakem, OFM Cap., 1926-2022
Our brother Gary Stakem, OFM Cap., died peacefully in his bed at St. Augustine Friary, Pittsburgh, at 5:30 A.M. on Tuesday, October 5th, 2022. He was in residence at our Motherhouse Care community since January 2020. At 96, he was the oldest living member of our Province at the time of his passing, a Capuchin friar for 76 years and a priest for 71 years. Although for most of his two years as a resident of St. Augustine Friary Gary’s body weakened, and signs of an increasing dementia would plague him, our confrere’s smile and flashes of memories (always his strong point!) would continue to reveal his kind, gentle and indomitable spirit that never weakened.
Jerome Dunn, OFM Cap., 1934-2022
Our brother Jerome Dunn, OFM Cap., died peacefully just before sunrise on Saturday, September 17, the feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi, at St. Augustine Friary, Pittsburgh. He was 88 years of age when he answered the final call of God who was his strength and his peace.
Jerome was born on August 3, 1934, in Turton, South Dakota, the third of ten children born to his father, John, and mother Julia (Klapperich). Raised to share the hard work of running the family farm, the young man was educated in the public schools of Turton, and after his high school graduation in 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, proudly serving four years on active duty and another four in the Naval Reserve before receiving his honorable discharge. He was employed as a metalworker in Vernon, CA, from 1956 until his admission to St. Fidelis College Seminary in 1960, without a doubt, the oldest of among his classmates.
Commemoration 2022
At our Capuchin Provincial Chapter held in May 2022, we remembered the friars, affiliates, parents and those we hold dear who have passed to te Lord's life since our last Chapter in May 2019. We give thanks to the Lord for the blessing of their lives, and we commend them all to the Lord's abundant peace & goodness.
Mario Mastrangelo, OFM Cap., 1931-2022
Our Province suffered a loss when our brother Mario Mastrangelo, OFM Cap., 90, made his transitus to the Lord’s eternal life on Saturday afternoon, February 26, 2022. Health problems have plagued him throughout the past years. Sometimes dampening his spirits but never his kindness, his resolve or his trust in the Lord, his visits in and out of hospital for a range of issues dealing with his diabetes called upon our prayers and support. We became accustomed to his bouncing back and returning to the brothers, but after a final visit by his blood brother, Fr. Nick Mastrangelo, a retired priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh (PA), Mario succumbed to Sister Death.
Anthony Mastrangelo was born in New Castle, PA on May 3, 1931, the first of three sons born to Nicholas and Concepta (Toscano) Mastrangelo. Having been baptized in New Castle’s St. Vitus Parish, his childhood was nurtured by the immigrant Italian community of the city. Bouncing back and forth between public and parochial schools during his elementary and high school years, 17-year-old Anthony finally landed among our Capuchin Franciscan friars at St. Fidelis High School and College Seminary in Herman, PA, to complete his last two years of high school studies before entering the college seminary.
Francis Xavier Russo, OFM Cap., 1934-2022
Our brother Francis Xavier Russo, OFM Cap., passed to the Lord’s eternal life early Friday afternoon, January 14, 2022, at Villa Rosa Nursing home in Mitchellville, MD, from complications following a stroke he suffered on December 4, 2021. Our confrere Emett Schuler, OFM Cap., administered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and was praying with him at the time of his death.
John Carmen Russo was born on March 21, 1934, to John and Theresa (Izzo) Russo of Mahoningtown, PA. He was baptized at St. Lucy Church in Mahoningtown and educated in the local public elementary school before enrolling at St. Fidelis Seminary in Herman, PA, in 1951, where he received both his high school and college education. Following his second year of collegiate studies, he received the habit of our Capuchin Franciscan community when he entered the novitiate at St. Conrad Friary, Annapolis, MD, on July 13, 1953, and was given the name “Kent.”