Chesterton Tribune

Brother Vincent Reyes OFM Cap

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Brother Vincent Reyes OFM Cap

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

Paid Obituary

 

Posted 6/29/2010

 

 

 

 

 

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