Fr. Frederick M. Nickle OFM, Cap.

The Capuchin Franciscan friars of the Province of St. Mary mourn the death of their brother, Fr. Frederick Nickle, O.F.M. Cap., who passed from this life on March 23, 2026, in the Bronx, NY, at the age of eighty-seven.

Fr. Fred was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on June 25, 1938, to Frederick Nickle and Hedwiga Zwolinska. He entered the novitiate on Aug. 31, 1957, and was given the religious name Theophane. He professed his perpetual vows on Sept. 1, 1961, and was ordained to the priesthood on Nov. 13, 1965.

After one year in parish ministry at Our Lady of Sorrows in Manhattan, he served for six years as assistant director of novices at St. Lawrence Friary in Milton, MA. (1967-1973). Interludes as parochial assistant at Sacred Heart Parish, Yonkers, NY, and vicar, guardian at St. Lawrence Friary followed. For five years (1976-1981), he served as guardian of the post-novitiate at St. Anthony Friary in Hudson, NH. During his final two years in New Hampshire, he was also the chaplain at Holy Trinity High School in Manchester.

From 1981 to 1985, he was assigned to Capuchin Family Ministries in Garrison, N.Y. After a two-year stint at Our Lady of Peace Friary, a house of prayer in Marlboro, N.Y., he became a pastor and guardian: first at St. Joseph Parish, Portland, Me. (1987-1995), then at St. Pius X Parish, Middletown, Conn. (1995-2002).

He returned to youth ministry in 2002 as chaplain at Capuchin Family Ministries, providing spiritual care at countless retreats and service projects. He was an active and beloved presence for generations of teenagers, young adults, and parents in the Hudson Valley until shortly before his death. For most of his later years, he resided at St. Joachim Friary in Beacon, N.Y. From July 2022 until a month before he died, he lived at St. Conrad Friary in White Plains, N.Y.

A wake will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home, 168 Park Avenue, Yonkers, N.Y. The funeral will be celebrated on Saturday, March 28, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, N.Y. In place of flowers, donations can be made to the Province of St. Mary in memory of Fr. Frederick Nickle in support of the continued good works of the Capuchin Franciscan friars. You can send your donations to the Capuchin Mission & Development Office, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY 10703.