Br. Christopher Varley, O.F.M. Cap.

The Capuchin Franciscan friars of the Province of St. Mary mourn the death of their Br. Christopher Varley, O.F.M. Cap., who passed away on August 9, 2013 in Dobbs Ferry, NY at the age of 74. Br. Christopher [baptized James], the son of Martin Joseph and Annie Heverin-Varley, was born in Brooklyn, NY on March 22, 1939. He attended St. Gregory Grammar School [1946-53] and Holy Trinity High School [1954-1957] in Brooklyn. Br. Christopher entered the Capuchin Franciscans on April 30, 1960. He spent his religious formation at St. Pius X, Middletown, CT [1960-61]; St. Anthony Friary, Hudson, NH [1961-62] and Mary Immaculate Friary, Garrison, NY [1962-65] where he professed perpetual vows on May 1, 1964. His first assignment was at St. Lawrence Friary, Milton, MA [1967-1970] where he served as cook to the friar community, ministered to the local Secular Franciscans, taught religion and was an active member and chaplain of the Knights of Columbus. For the next fifteen years [1970-1985], Br. Christopher was assigned to Our Lady of Sorrows Friary, New York, NY. At Our Lady of Sorrows he ministered to the friar community as cook, sacristan, and porter. He assisted the parish community as coordinator of the Legion of Mary, parish Bingo, altar servers, Holy Name Society, ushers, taught religion in the grade school, and organized parish youth and sports programs. A well-known figure of the Lower East Side, Br. Christopher was instrumental in forming the 200 Block Stanton St. Association to address the housing complaints and needs of the local residents and a familiar presence in the lives and service activities of the officers of the Pitt Street 7th Precinct. In April 1975, Brother Christopher was appointed the local Precinct’s Auxiliary Police Chaplain and the first Catholic Chaplain ever named in the City of New York. From 1987-1988 Br. Christopher joined the friar community of St. Fidelis Friary, Agaña Heights, Guam and ministered at San Juan Bautista Parish in Ordot, Guam. Br. Christopher served at Our Lady Queen of Angels, New York, NY from 1986-1987 and again in 1996-2006 where he enjoyed working with the youth, teaching and spiritual assistant to the Secular Franciscans. He resided with the senior friar community of St. Clare Friary [2007-08]; San Souci Rehabilitation Center [2008-09] and St. Joseph Nursing Home [2009-2013] all located in Yonkers, NY. He was recently a resident of the Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry, NY. He is survived by his sister Ann Marie Varley-Gilligan and her children and his sister-in-law Ginger Varley.

The Wake will be held at St. Clare Friary, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY on Sunday, August 11, 2013 from 2-4:00 p.m. and 7-9:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, Yonkers, NY on Monday, August 12, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, your generosity would be appreciated in support St. Clare Friary, our senior friar residence located at 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY 10703.

Whalen & Ball Funeral Home

168 Park Ave.

Yonkers, N.Y. 10703

(914)965-5488

www.whalenandballfh.com