Obituary of Father Francis Steger

Richard Joseph Steger, known as Father Francis at the Abbey of the Genesee Monastery in Piffard, NY died Sunday, December 15, 2013 at the Abbey Infirmary. Father Francis was 84. He is predeceased by his sisters in law, Mary and Maria Steger. He is survived by his brothers, Jack (Nan) Steger, Jim Steger, Brother Damian Steger, Joe (Karen) Steger, nieces and nephews, Bob, Susan, Barbara, Dan, Mary Lynn, Jim, Cindy, John, Michael, Phillip, Carolyn, Suzanne, Tom, Kathleen and fellow Trappist Monks at the Abbey of the Genesee. Father Francis was born April 21, 1929 in St. Louis, MO the son of John Joseph and Mary Drumm Steger. He achieved his Licentiate in Theology. He was a member of the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky before becoming one of the founding fathers of the Abbey of the Genesee in 1951. Father Francis was the last founding father residing at the Abbey of the Genesee. For many years Father Francis was the spiritual director for the Genesee Lay Contemplatives. Visitation will be held at the Abbey of the Genesee on Thursday from 6 - 7 PM and on Friday from 2 AM - 9:30 AM. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, December 20, 2013 at 9:30 AM at the Abbey of the Genesee. Burial will be in the Abbey of the Genesee Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Abbey of the Genesee, 3258 River Rd., Piffard, NY 14533.