ENFIELD, CT – Fr. Alvin (John) Somerville, OFM Conv. was born in Albany, NY on February 21, 1932. He died on Wednesday, August 19, 2020. Friar Alvin was son of the late Leo and Alvina (Goetz) Somerville. Besides his Franciscan family, he cherished his family and was deeply loved by them. He was predeceased by his sister Joan Walsh, his brothers Leo Somerville and Richard Somerville, and his nephew Lee Somerville. He is survived by his sister-in-law Marcia Somerville, nieces Amy Walsh-Malamood (Howard) and Megan Hart (Robert), and nephews Shane Somerville (Maureen), Kelly Somerville (Anita), Kevin Somerville (Janet) and Brian Somerville. Fr. Alvin also leaves his cousins: William Somerville, Paul Somerville, Sr. Jane Somerville, Sr. Loretta Somerville, and Jeanne Fitzgerald, and his grand-nephews and nieces: Luke, Mark, Paul, Megan, Kyra, Matthew, Todd, Scott, Colleen, Jacob, Benjamin, Daniel, and Taylor.
Fr. Alvin entered the Franciscan Friars Conventual Novitiate in Middleburgh, NY, in August of 1951, professed his Temporary Vows on August 17, 1952, and professed his Solemn Vows on September 17, 1955. He was ordained to the priesthood on February 8, 1958, in Albany, NY. Besides attending Anthony-on-Hudson in Rensselaer, NY, where he received an M.Div., he also received an M.A. in Education from St. Bonaventure University, in 1964.
The first assignment after Ordination for Fr. Alvin was at St. Francis High School, on Staten Island, NY, where he taught and also served as Principal, from 1958 to 1968. He was then transferred to St. Joseph Church, in Endicott, NY, where he served as Parochial Vicar, until 1973. Fr. Alvin worked at Covenant House in New York City from 1973 to 1975, serving as a House Parent. The ensuing years saw him serve as Pastor of St. Francis Parish, in Bridgeport, NY (1976-1982), of St. Bartholomew Parish, in Camden, NJ (1982-1988), of Our Lady of Angels Church, Albany, NY (1988-1997 and 1998-2001), and of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Burlington, NC (1997-1998). Starting in 2001, Fr. Alvin assisted in various ministries in the Albany area, until in 2005, he became the Chaplain to the Resurrection Sisters in Castleton, NY. He continued to serve the sisters until 2012, when Fr. Alvin was assigned in retirement to Immaculate Conception Friary, Albany, NY. He transferred in 2018, to Our Lady of the Angels Care Center, in Enfield, CT. His death came at St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, CT on August 19, 2020, a few days after suffering a suffering a stroke.
Fr. Alvin will lie in state from on Saturday, August 22, 2020, from 9-10:45 a.m., with the Funeral Mass to follow, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 900 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12208. If you plan on attending, please register with the church at www.stvincentalbany.org , click on CLICK HERE to register for Mass/Funeral, and complete the form under Mass and Communion Service Sign-up in the left margin. Otherwise please arrive early to register. Interment will be in his family plot, at Calvary Cemetery in Glenmont, NY. Memorial Donations may be made to the Franciscan Education Burse, 12300 Folly Quarter Rd., Ellicott City, MD, 21042. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .
Date of Birth: February 21, 1932
Simple Profession: August 17, 1952
Solemn Profession: September 17, 1955
Ordained to the Priesthood: February 8, 1958
Entered into Eternal Life: August 19, 2020
Betty and Everett Freed
Our thoughts are with you. Your uncle Jack was a charming man.
Heather Goetz
Jack (Uncle) was such a special man I love watching him and Nan together they had such a bond .He will be missed by so many people because he was so loving and kind. And I am very sure Nan was waiting for him when he got there I am so deeply sorry for your loss for every one in the family love to you all
Barb Ochampaugh
I knew Father from OLA and Poverella Center. He was a great priest .
Robert O'Boyle, Ph.D.
I had the honor of meeting Fr. Alvin through Fr. Giles. I enjoyed the pleasure of his company and great humor. Fr. Alvin always shared wonderful stories of his travels, vacations, and dear family. Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss, but find peace that he is with the Lord, reunited with his dear family and friends. Father Alvin will bless you from above.
Janet Goetz Tansill
Many loving and special memories of our cousin ,Jack”. We will love you and miss you always! “Sis & Janet”
Lisa O’Neill
Dear Shane, Megan and Amy, Uncle Jack was a treasure to my mother Janet and Aunt Sis(Mary) and both of them were 1st cousins (Goetz).They both recollect fond childhood memories of Jack, Joan, Leo and Dick and although 87 and 90 years old respectively, have very clear stories to share with Diane and I. Due to COVID, and NY rules of quarantine, we will not be able to attend. But certainly would have come to the funeral if we could. Take care of yourselves and families and know we are praying for better days!❤️ Lisa Tansill O’Neill
MaryAnne catlin
A life well lived. May his soul rest in the Peace of the Lord.
JK Neysmith
I had Fr. Alvin as a teacher during my three years at St. Francis Seminary in the early 1960s. Seems strange that he had only been ordained two years. He seemed so much older to me then.
Together with two other friars I drop in to visit him at Rensellear NY in June 2018 . he too was 56 years older but remembered us.
He was a great influence on so many lives of young men who passed through Franciscan training and education on Staten Island
J Neysmith
Vincent DePaul Henry
Dear Amy, Megan, Howard, Somerville all–
My heartfelt condolences at your loss and the loss of my beloved friend and classmate. Through Jack I got to know you all and to spend so many happy and joyous times with you! Thank you!
You know how precious “the family” always was to him– you will continue to be so. Through him my own life has been so enriched!
May he (and Joan) rest in the Peace and Blessssed Presence of God!
My deepest sympathy to all!
DePaul. (See note at Joan’s obit)
joan catlin-dunn
Peace to Fr Alvin. he led the life the lord gave him. Condolences to our family. My mother, Janet Reilly Catlin loved him, dearly.
G. Dennis Catlin and family
I remember when he was ordained,i was only a child when he visited out home many times and he could always get us to laugh and give his blessing. God bless and rest in peace.