Capuchin Franciscan introduced brown robed friars to the diocese
Capuchin Franciscan Father George Maddock, who with the late Father Paul Minchak introduced his community of brown robed friars to Hawaii in 1984, died Sept. 30 at St. Clare Friary, Yonkers, New York, at age 81. He was a Franciscan for 63 years and a priest for 54 years, 11 of those years in Hawaii.
“Father George was an exemplary priest and friar, respected by the friars and loved by the people,” the Capuchins said in an announcement.
Father Maddock came to Hawaii from Guam with Father Minchak at the invitation of Bishop Joseph A. Ferrario to staff Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Ewa Beach. Among other assignments, he had been superior of the Capuchins in Guam, a vice province of the New York Province of St. Mary, from 1970 to 1976.
Over the years since, more Capuchins arrived from Guam to work in parishes in Hawaii.
Father Maddock was born Jan. 22, 1937, in St. Albans, New York, one of six children of Clinton and Grace Dunn-Maddock.
He entered the Capuchin Franciscans at St. Lawrence Friary, Milton, Massachusetts, on Aug. 31, 1955, taking the religious name Paschal. He professed his first temporary vows on Sept. 1, 1956, and his perpetual vows on Sept. 1, 1959.
He was ordained a priest at Sacred Heart Church, Yonkers, on Jan. 11, 1964.
Following his ordination, Father Maddock was assigned to the Mariana Islands. He taught at Father Duenas Memorial High School on Guam for 10 years, served as principal for two years and was the director of the minor seminary for three years. He was also pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Vona, Guam.
For six of those years, he was superior regular of the Guam mission.
Father Maddock was sent to Hawaii in 1984 to begin the expansion of the Capuchins in the Diocese of Honolulu. He served as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ewa Beach, from 1984 to 1988 and as pastor of St. Elizabeth, Aiea, from 1988 to 1993.
He was then named director of the Capuchins’ post-novitiate formation at St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Kaneohe, from 1993 to 1995.
Fellow Capuchin Franciscan Father Michel Dalton described Father Maddock as a “dedicated priest, faithful religious and man of the church.”
“He was proud of being a Capuchin Franciscan,” he said. “He oftentimes bragged about our order and always encouraged boys at St. Elizabeth School to consider priesthood or brotherhood. He was very visible and always wore his religious habit.”
“He was always available for his parishioners and was especially caring toward the sick and homebound,” said Father Dalton, who is pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Kuliouou. “His sermons were filled with stories that touched people’s lives and hearts.”
He wasn’t preoccupied by parish finances, but “was able to get his parishioners motivated to reduce any parish debts that they had,” he said. “He inspired people to get involved and not let money be the focus of parish.”
“He was known for taking long walks,” Father Dalton said. “It was not unusual for him to take a 10- to 20-mile hike on his day off. He loved being outdoors.” A stroll from Aiea to Haleiwa was not out of the question.
Father Maddock returned to Guam in 1995 to serve in a variety of positions including director of post-novitiate formation, pastor, teacher, vice principal and parochial and friary assistant. In declining health, he retired in 2013 and returned to New York in 2018.
Father Maddock is survived by two brothers, John of Palm Beach Grove, Florida, and Joseph of Ithaca, New York, and his sister Eileen of New Hyde Park, New York.
He is buried in the Province of St. Mary Cemetery, Yonkers.
