Fr. William P. Linhares, T.O.R.

Reverend William P. Linhares T.O.R., of the Third Order Regular Franciscans of the Province of the Immaculate Conception, USA died Wednesday in Hollidaysburg. He was born to Jesse and Mary (Correia) Linhares in Taunton, Mass. 

Father William entered the Franciscan Community on Sept. 14, 1978, and professed Solemn Vows Aug. 10, 1984. He was ordained to the priesthood on Nov. 22, 1984, in Wilmington, Del. 

Father William - or Fr. Bill, as he was known to his friends - served the Church and the Franciscan Community in various roles. In the Diocese of Wilmington, Del., he worked in the Ministry of Evangelization. He was a Parochial Vicar in the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, and directed retreat centers at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Key West in the Archdiocese of Miami, Fla., and Priestfield Pastoral Center in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, W.Va. Fr. Bill also served in internal ministries in the Province as Director of Postulants, Associate Director of Novices, Vocation Director, Provincial Econome, and Provincial Counselor. In recent years, he was in residence at St. Bernardine Monastery and, at the time of his death, at Garvey Manor, both in Hollidaysburg. 

Fr. William is predeceased by his parents; brothers: Jesse, Edward, Robert and Richard; and sisters, Mary Harding and Eleanor McGreevy.

He is survived by his siblings: Jeanne, Joseph, Elizabeth Newman, Thomas and Stephen; many nieces and nephews; friends; and his Franciscan Community. 

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Bernardine Monastery, Hollidaysburg. Very Reverend Father Frank Scornaienchi, T.O.R., Minister Provincial, will be the principal celebrant and Very Reverend Father Robert J. D’Aversa, TOR will be the homilist. Interment will follow in the Community Cemetery in Hollidaysburg.

Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, the funeral service will be restricted to the Franciscan Community and immediate family members. 

Memorial gifts in Fr. William’s memory may be made to the Franciscan Friars’ Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 139, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648.

Arrangements are by Santella Funeral Home.

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