Friar Vincent Joseph Vivian (born Theodore Ben), OFM Conv., 78, a Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at Enfield, Conn.
Born in Jamaica, N.Y., on March 22, 1948, he was a son of the late Theodore and Maria (nee Rhein) Vivian.
Friar Vincent entered the Novitiate of the Franciscan Friars Conventual in 1966, making his first profession of vows on Aug. 15, 1967. His solemn profession of vows occurred on Aug. 15, 1970.
He ministered at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, Maryland, from 1971-1974; he then ministered at Kolbe High School in Bridgeport, Conn., during which time he earned an LPN from St. Vincent’s Hospital in Connecticut in 1976.
Between 1977 and 1993, Friar Vincent served as a missionary in Ghana.
Upon his return from West Africa, Friar Vincent served at St. Adalbert Parish in Elmhurst, N.Y. (1993-94), as guardian of St. Hyacinth Friary in Chicopee, Mass. (1994-96), as director of Social Services at Most Holy Trinity Parish in Brooklyn, N.Y. (1996-2001), as a nurse at St. Rose Home on Manhattan (2003-2005), as administrator for the Bishop Mooreny Residence in Douglastown, N.Y. (2005-2006), and as director of the Shrine of Saint Anthony in Ellicott City, Md. (2006-2010).
Visitation hours will be held Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Our Lady of the Angels Care Center, 1315 Enfield St., Enfield Conn., with a Franciscan Wake Service at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the same location on Friday, Oct. 2, at 10 a.m., followed by burial in Saint Stanislaus Cemetery, Chicopee Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Franciscan Education Fund (12300 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City MD 21042).
