Capuchin friar Vincent Reyes, age 69, passed away unexpectedly of natural
causes on Saturday, June 26, 2010. He was born in Gary, Indiana.
Brother Vince was in the Order for 50 years. He was an avid photographer
whose work was featured in local newspapers, and was once the chaplain for
the Michigan Press Photographers Association. In 2008, Brother Vince
collaborated with photographers from the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News
and authored “My Name Is,” a collection of portrait photographs and stories
of the guests of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit.
Brother Vince studied at the Capuchin house of studies. He worked in youth
retreat ministry at St. Clair, MI from 1973-1984. In 1988-1991 he did his
residency in clinical pastoral education becoming a certified chaplain. From
1991-1998, he served as emergency room chaplain for Christ Memorial
Hospital, a South Chicago hospital. He served as pastoral director of the
Capuchin Soup Kitchen for seven years, and had served the Capuchin Soup
Kitchen’s Development Office from 2005 until his death. He also served in
many other ministry locations.
“Brother Vince was a natural advocate for the poor,” Provincial Minister
John Celichowski explains. “For many in Detroit, Brother Vince was the face
of the Capuchins. He could tell the human story—our tragedies and
triumphs—not only succinctly but also with great depth and feeling. He would
frequently be on local radio and TV. His many media contacts at the Detroit
News and Detroit Free Press were legendary. Brother Vince had a lot of dear
friends.”
Brother Vince was currently writing his second book which chronicled his
work in the emergency room in Chicago hospitals. He was also an expert
videographer and had been videotaping the stories of the friars.
“Brother Vince felt it was very important that our friars’ stories not be
lost when they were gone. He was just recently in Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin,
where the North American Capuchins were founded, for a meeting with the
younger friars, encouraging them in their creativity so his work would
continue when he was gone,” Father John continues. “We had no idea that his
time to pass the torch would be so soon.”
He is lovingly survived by sisters Richardine Maloof of Chicago, Angela
McManigal (the late William P. McManigal) of Chesterton, IN, Rebecca Reyes,
brothers Samuel (Ann) of Woodstock, IL, and David (San Juanita) of Edinburg,
TX and nephews Fionn McManigal and Alex Maloof.
He is further survived by his Capuchin Brothers and his wonderful family at
the Capuchin Soup Kitchen and the Province’s Development Office. He is
preceded in death by his father and mother, Cástulo and Mary Fidencia Reyes
(Baiz).
Visitation will be held at the Chas. Verheyden Funeral Home, 16300 Mack Ave.
Grosse Pointe Park, on Thursday from 3-8 p.m. and at the St. Bonaventure
Monastery, 1740 Mt. Elliott, Detroit, on Friday from 1-8 p.m. with prayers
at 7 p.m. The funeral will be on Saturday, Instate 9:30 a.m. until the time
of the mass at 11 a.m. at St. Bonaventure Monastery. Light a candle and
share a memory at: www.verheyden.org