Father Justin (Augustine) Biase, OFM Conv., former pastor at Saint Bartholomew Church, Camden, died Sept. 21 at the age of 74.
Born on Staten Island, N.Y., he attended Saint Francis Seminary there and entered the Franciscan Friars Conventual Novitiate in Middleburgh, N.Y., in August 1961. On Aug. 28, 1962, he professed his simple vows and on Aug. 28, 1965, he professed his Solemn Vows.
He was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Albany on May 30, 1970. During his first year of priesthood, he lived at the friary of the Moroccan Martyrs and was a graduate student at Fordham University, from which he earned a master’s degree in sociology.
Father Justin was first assigned as a parochial assistant at Saint Bartholomew Church, Camden, from 1971-82, where in time he became both pastor and guardian.
After ministry at Saint Francis Novitiate in Staten Island, and in parishes in New Jersey and New York, he was elected as Minister Provincial of the former Immaculate Conception Province in 2005.
He was re-elected in 2010, and served in this capacity until 2014, when Saint Anthony of Padua Province and Immaculate Conception Province unioned to become Our Lady of the Angels Province.
During his years as Minister Provincial, he oversaw the life and ministry of the friars of the Province living in the U.S.A. and Canada, as well as the Provincial Delegation in Costa Rica, and the Custody of the Immaculate Conception in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
After Father Justin’s time as Minister Provincial, he moved to Most Holy Trinity Parish in Brooklyn, serving as Guardian of the Friary and as parochial vicar to the parish.
He is survived by his Franciscan family; his sister Anna Biase Geronimo (Joseph); nephew Joseph Geronimo and his wife Kerry; niece Maria Miller; five grand-nephews; one grand-niece; and several cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Sept. 26 at Most Holy Trinity Church, Brooklyn. Interment was in the Franciscan Friars’ plot at Saint John’s Cemetery, Middle Village (Queens), New York.
Memorial donations may be made to the Franciscan Education Burse, 12300 Folly Quarter Rd., Ellicott City, MD 21042
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