Fr. Raphael Iannone, OFM Cap.

The Capuchin Franciscan friars of the Province of St. Mary mourn the death of their brother, Fr. Raphael Iannone, O.F.M. Cap., who passed from this life on July 26, 2025, in Beacon, N.Y., at the age of eighty-seven.

John Iannone was born in Montclair, N.J., on Aug. 4, 1937, to Michael Paul Iannone and Jane T. Notte. He entered the novitiate on Aug. 31, 1955, and was given the religious name Raphael. He professed his perpetual vows on Sept. 1, 1959, and was ordained to the priesthood on Jan. 11, 1964.

A few months after ordination, Father Raphael began a decade of service to the Province in our formation and vocation ministries. He taught math and physics for nine years at Glenclyffe High School in Garrison, N.Y., our minor seminary where he himself had graduated; and he was vocation director for one year residing in Brooklyn, NY. He followed this with three years as a chaplain: two at Long Lane School, Middletown, Conn.; and one at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Providence, R.I.

Returning to the Hudson Valley in 1977, Father Raphael joined the staff of New Hope Manor, Barryville, N.Y., a residential substance abuse recovery program for women. He spent seven years as a counselor and teacher. During his final two years he was also executive director.

In 1984, he was transferred from Mary Immaculate Friary in Garrison to St. Joseph Friary in New Paltz, N.Y., where he served six years as pastor of St. Joseph Parish. In 1990, Father Raphael returned to formation ministry. For the next 18 years he served as associate director of post-novitiate formation in South Orange, N.J., then as co-director of the postulancy program at St. Michael Friary, Brooklyn.

In 2008, Father Raphael returned to St. Joseph Friary, New Paltz, and served as supervisor of provincial properties. He remained in active ministry into his eighties, serving seven years at St. Francis de Sales Church in Phoenicia, N.Y., until August 2020, retiring to St. Lawrence Friary in Beacon.

He is survived by a niece, Annette Weisbeck; two nephews, Michael Iannone IV and Ralph Iannone, Sr; and others.

A wake will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025-3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home, 168 Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10703. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 30, 2025-11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY 10703. Burial to follow at the Province of St. Mary Cemetery.

In place of flowers, donations can be made to the Province of St. Mary in memory of Fr. Raphael Iannone, O.F.M. Cap. 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.