Conventual Franciscan Father Richard Florek, the first Franciscan to lead St. Clement Mary Hofbauer parish, died March 22 at age 80. He served as pastor of the Rosedale church from 1995 to 2005, and was known for his warmth, approachability and dedication to parishioners and students.
“Father Richard was an integral part of bringing humility, service and love of the Catholic Church to not only the parishioners, but to the school community, too,” said Julie Maney, a lifelong parishioner of St. Clement who also taught at the parish school for 18 years. “Many lasting bonds and wonderful memories were made from his time at the parish and school.”
Maney was hired as a teacher by Father Florek and the principal at the time, Franciscan Sister Michael Kathleen Deane, in 1995. She also served on the parish’s 75th anniversary planning committee in 2000 with Father Florek, who baptized her first two children.
“Father Richard had a great sense of humor, and was always sure to visit with the students in our classrooms,” Maney said. “It was great to see them laugh at his jokes and look forward to seeing him.”
Born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y., Father Florek was introduced to the Conventual Franciscans early in life, first as a parishioner and student at St. Casimir in Buffalo and then as a student at Bishop Ryan High School in Buffalo. After graduation, he entered the novitiate of the Conventual Franciscans in Ellicott City. He earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary in Granby, Mass., and completed theological studies at St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer, N.Y. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1972.
Father Florek’s first assignment was at St. Casimir in Riverside, N.J., where he served 1972-82. He also served as pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Mount Joy, Pa., and co-pastor and then pastor of St. Paul in Kensington, Conn. After he concluded his ministry at St. Clement, Father Florek moved to Boynton Beach, Fla., where he served as pastor of St. Mark until 2022. He lived in residence at St. Mark Friary until his death.
“When Father Richard moved to Boynton Beach, he continued to write to many of us at St. Clement,” Maney said. “Every Christmas we looked forward to his update, and he looked forward to receiving ours in return.”
Mary Ann Slomba became a parishioner in 1970. Her two sons attended the parish school, and she was a volunteer at the parish until she moved out of state five years ago. Slomba assisted with many fundraisers, and she chaired the 75th anniversary fundraising committee, working alongside Father Florek. She noted that the pastor was instrumental in a renovation of the church building.
“He was very nice and personable and had a good rapport with the parishioners,” Slomba said. “He was very involved in the youth group and enjoyed working with the young people of the church. He also showed support for the Scouts. Most people had a lot of respect for him and how involved he was.”
Father Florek was a bit of a jokester, according to Kathy Snell, a parishioner and member of the parish’s contemporary music group since 2000.
“Father Richard was a warm and caring and kind person, but what I remember most about him is his sense of humor,” she said. “He would always say something funny before we’d go on to make us laugh.”
As a member of the parish’s sodality and a parishioner for 67 years, Sharon Cerny recalled that Father Florek attended meetings and always made time for people.
“What I will remember most about him was his friendliness,” Cerny said. “He was outgoing and approachable and always tried to get to know the parishioners. He was well respected.”
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Mark in Florida March 28 at 11 a.m. Another funeral Mass will be offered at St. Francis High School in Hamburg, N.Y., April 2, at noon.
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