Kriley

Father Victor Kriley, OFM Cap., died Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Embassy of Saxonburg under the care of Bridges Hospice Care. He was 88.

Born May 2, 1937, to John and Marie (Gillespie) Kriley, he was baptized Albert at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Herman, Pa. One of 12 children, he attended the parish elementary school and St. Fidelis High School Seminary.

In 1957, he entered the Capuchin Order and took the name Victor. He made his first vows as a Capuchin friar on July 14, 1958.

Brother Victor completed his philosophy studies in Herman, and in 1960, began theological studies at Capuchin College in Washington, D.C.

On Feb. 8, 1964, he was ordained to the priesthood. Father Victor was chosen to serve as a missionary in Papua New Guinea, a ministry he began barely a month after his ordination.

His first assignment was as parochial vicar at Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd Cathedral in Mendi. During his two years in Mendi, Father Victor learned Tok Pisin and became familiar with missionary life and the many cultures of the Southern Highlands.

He served in Papua New Guinea for 20 years. He was assigned to parishes in Kagua, Ialibu, Margarima, Tari, and a second stint in Mendi.

Capuchin Father Roger White succeeded Father Victor as pastor of St. Clare Parish in Ialibu. He recalls, “It was a wonderful experience for me to witness what Father Victor had accomplished. He encouraged family prayer, recognized the leadership present there and set up with the leaders a formula for conducting group prayer. As a result, gatherings of 10 to 15 men and women gathered each week, sometimes in the church, but more often in family grass huts for Bible reading, discussion, prayer and singing. It would go on for a few hours and several times a week, and in numerous places. It enriched the faith of so many people of the Imbongu area. Thank you, Father Victor.”

In 1986, Father Victor completed his missionary work and returned to the United States. He was assigned to his home parish in Herman for two years, and in 1988, moved to York, Pa., where he would serve as parochial vicar at St. Joseph the Worker Parish for the better part of his remaining active ministry. For the last four years in York, he was also chaplain at York General Hospital.

In 2002, he moved to Cumberland, Md., to take up duties as chaplain at Sacred Heart Hospital.

Father Victor returned to Western Pennsylvania in 2005, living in Herman for two years, followed by five years at the Capuchin Motherhouse, St. Augustine Friary, in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh.

Due to declining health, Father Victor was moved to Embassy of Saxonburg extended care nursing home in Saxonburg, in December 2012, where he remained until his passing.

During his 14 years there, Father Victor was faithfully cared for by his loving and devoted brother, John, his sisters, and his Capuchin brothers in Herman.

Father Victor was preceded in death by his parents, Marie and John; his sisters, Helen Grence, Aline Goodrich and Eva Mae Kriley; and his brothers, Leonard, Floyd and Adrian. He is survived by his sisters, Mary Carbin, Pearl Kocher, Sister Frances Marie Kriley, CDP, and Rita Snyder; and his brother, John; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their children, and many cousins.

Father Victor gave 68 years of Capuchin vowed religious life and 62 years of priestly service to the church.

KRILEY — Visitation and viewing for Father Victor Kriley, OFM Cap., who died Saturday, March 7, 2026, was at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 11, at St. Margaret of Cortona Chapel in St. Augustine Friary, 221 36th St., Pittsburgh (Lawrenceville), followed by the wake service at 7:30 p.m.

The body will be transferred to St. Mary Church in Herman, on Thursday morning. Visitation with family will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 12, at St. Mary Church, followed by the Mass of Christian burial at noon. Interment will follow at the friars’ plot in St. Mary Cemetery.

Professional services are provided by D’ALESSANDRO FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, Lawrenceville.

Memorial donations may be made to the Capuchin Friars, 220 37th St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15201, or at capuchin.com.

For more information, please visit www.dalessandroltd.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.