Fr. Finbar Patrick O'Mahoney, O.S.B.
The Rev. Finbar Patrick O'Mahoney, O.S.B., 86, a Benedictine monk and priest at Saint Anselm Abbey for more than 40 years, died Nov. 29.

Fr. Finbar was beloved by generations of students in his native Ireland, in the Caribbean, in California and here in New Hampshire. He marked his 66th year of religious life this summer. At Saint Anselm College since 1963, Fr. Finbar served as a teacher, chaplain and senior administrator.

A native of Bantry, County Cork, he was the son of the late Patrick and Mary (Daly) O’Mahoney. He completed his secondary education at North Monastery School, Cork, in 1936, then entered study for the Order of Saint Benedict in the novitiate of the famed Abbey of Maredsous in Belgium. He professed simple vows on Jan. 10, 1938, and made his solemn profession of vows on Jan. 10, 1941.

From Maredsous, Fr. Finbar was sent back to Ireland to help organize the first Benedictine monastery since the Reformation. He was a member of the community that became Glenstal Abbey in Murroe, County Limerick, now a thriving monastery that operates a prestigious boys’ preparatory school. He was ordained a deacon in June 1942 and was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood on July 18, 1943 by the Most Rev. Jeremiah Kinane, D.D., late archbishop of Cashel and Emly.

Fr. Finbar was one of the first Benedictines ordained to the priesthood in Ireland since the Reformation.

In addition to studies in philosophy and theology at Maredsous and Glenstal, Fr. Finbar held a bachelor of science degree in education and mathematics; earned bachelor and master of arts honors degrees from the University of London; held an Irish teaching certificate; and undertook postgraduate studies at Fordham University.

In addition to teaching as a senior master at Glenstal, Fr. Finbar served as dean of students, novice master and treasurer. From 1957 to 1960, he served as dean of men and tutor at University College Dublin, as well as superior and director of Balnagowan, Glenstal’s Benedictine university residence in Dublin. He was also dean of the school of artistic crafts at Glenstal, and professor at Saint Columba’s Seminary, Limerick. From 1960 to 1963, Fr. Finbar taught at Saint Augustine’s College in Nassau, the Bahamas.

After transferring to Saint Anselm in 1963, Fr. Finbar taught theology, education and classics. In addition, he served as chaplain, dean of students and assistant to the president. He also served in weekend ministry at Saint Raphael Parish, Manchester, and other parishes throughout New Hampshire. From 1991 to 1997, Fr. Finbar served at Woodside Priory in Portola Valley, Calif.

He was a much sought-after and respected retreat master, a strict disciplinarian and popular teacher. He once described himself as a “holy terror” as dean of students at Saint Anselm. His “Finbarian maxims” were known and quoted by monks, students, parents and parishioners alike. The maxims “have become legendary,” said Abbot Matthew Leavy, O.S.B.

In addition to his monastic confreres, Fr. Finbar is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Friends may make contributions to Saint Anselm College’s scholarship or library fund. Please contact Sandra Seney at 603-641-7196 for more information.

Christopher Q. Cabana
Christopher Q. Cabana '89, of Winchester, Mass., died at his home November 11, 2004. He was 37. Cabana was featured in Portraits in Philanthropy 2003–2004, along with his wife, Susan (Dwyer) ’89, for their dedication to their alma mater. He was active in alumni affairs, serving on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the President’s Society Council.

A native of Northampton, Mass., Chris Cabana majored in politics at Saint Anselm College and earned an MBA at Case Western Reserve University. He was a principal with State Street Global Advisors, where he served as a client service officer working with institutional pension plans.

College President Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B., knew Chris since he was a student at Saint Anselm. He described him as a thoughtful man who valued his country and what it stands for… “a man of worldly business whose laugh was instant and whose eyes would sparkle as he spoke of the ones he loved.”

Cabana also leaves three daughters, Sarah, Emma and Rachel. A scholarship fund for Saint Anselm College students was established in his memory. For more information, please contact Tricia Guanci Therrien at 603-641-7202.