Brother Romuald Chinetsky, OFM, 90

Brother Romuald Chinetsky, OFM, 90, a professed Franciscan friar for 63 years, died March 10 at Teresian House in Albany.

Brother Chinetsky was born on March 3, 1930, in Throop, Pa., to Vincent and Anna (née Palachick) and baptized Francis. After graduating from high school, Brother Chinetsky enlisted in the military and was assigned to the mess hall. He attended the Army’s culinary school and spent two years as a cook, spending part of his enlistment in Korea, before he was honorably discharged in 1953.

In 1954, Brother Chinetsky was admitted into Holy Name Province’s lay brother training program at St. Stephen’s Friary in Croghan. He was received into the novitiate at St. Raphael Friary in Lafayette, N.J., in 1956 and professed first vows one year later on Jan. 26, 1957. Three years later, Brother Chinetsky made his solemn profession on Jan. 26, 1960, at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston.

During his early years of Franciscan training, Brother Chinetsky began working as a cook and a baker in 1957 while living at St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon. In 1963, he moved to St. Francis College in Rye Beach, N.H., where he continued working in the kitchen. Four years later, he moved to Siena College and began a 44-year stint as the friary’s guestmaster, maintaining the residence and managing hospitality, greeting visitors and arranging guest accommodations.

He is survived by a brother, Vincent, of Throop, Pa., and three sisters: Jean Simone, also of Throop; Marion (James) Kennis, of Riceville, Tenn.; and Arlene Powell of Buffalo. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on March 16, in St. Mary of the Angels Chapel at Siena College, with burial at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands. Memorial donations may be sent to Franciscan Friars — Holy Name Province, 144 West 32nd St., New York, N.Y., 10001-3202.