Father Bernard Smith, O.F.M. Cap.

Father Bernard Smith, O.F.M. Cap., who had been a provincial leader and was a weekend associate at St. Patrick’s parish in Yorktown Heights for 20 years, died March 1 at St. Joachim Friary in Beacon. He was 72.

A Capuchin Friar of the Province of St. Mary, he began serving at St. Patrick’s while serving as a provincial councilor and guardian of St. Francis Friary in Beacon. Active in many ministries at St. Patrick’s, he led the Teams of Our Lady there.

He was vicar provincial minister, 1993-1995; acting provincial minister, 1995-1996; and provincial minister, 1996-2002. He was president of the North American Capuchin Conference and guardian of St. Conrad Friary in White Plains. He served two terms as provincial councilor in the 1980s and was elected again in 1990.

He was guardian of the friar community of St. Lawrence in Beacon, 2003-2005.

At Sacred Heart parish in Yonkers he was pastor and guardian of the friar community, 1981-1987; parochial vicar and vicar of the friar community, 1970-1977, and administrator of Sacred Heart High School, 1973-1977.

He taught at the Capuchin Theological Seminary and St. Mary Minor Seminary in Garrison, 1967-1970. He was a parochial vicar at Our Lady Queen of Angels in East Harlem, 1964-1965.

Born in Kings Park, he attended St. Mary junior seminary in Garrison and was invested as a novice in 1955. He professed final vows in 1959. He was ordained in 1964.

He held a master’s degree in music from The Catholic University of America.

He is survived by two sisters, Sister Mary P. Smith, O.P., and Kathleen Smith-Healy, and a brother, Patrick. A Funeral Mass was offered March 5 at Sacred Heart Church, with burial at the friars’ cemetery there.