Fr. Kevin Mackin, leader in Catholic higher education, dies Nov. 15

Fr. Kevin Mackin, OFM, 87, died Nov. 15 at Teresian House in Albany, New York, following a long illness. A Franciscan friar for 67 years and a priest for 61, he served as president of two Catholic colleges, authored numerous articles and publications, and was a respected leader in the world of Catholic higher education. 

A wake is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Mary of the Angels Chapel at Siena University, Loudonville. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 22, 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 65 Bartholdi Ave., Butler, New Jersey. His burial will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 52 Totowa Road, Totowa, New Jersey.  

Fr. Kevin was born April 5, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, to Irish parents Martin and Margaret (née Walsh). He attended Good Shepherd grammar school in Brooklyn and completed high school at St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, New York. 

He was received into the Order of Friars Minor on July 14, 1957, at St. Raphael Novitiate in Lafayette, New Jersey, and professed first vows there one year later. He made his solemn profession on Aug. 22, 1961, and was ordained Feb. 22, 1964. 

He earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University in 1960, a master’s degree in history from Siena College (now University) in 1967, and four degrees – including a doctorate in sacred theology – from the Catholic University of America. 

Fr. Kevin’s first assignment was to Archbishop Walsh High School in Olean, New York, where he taught religion and was assistant dean from 1965 to 1966. He returned to St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary for a year, serving as assistant procurator while teaching religion and Latin, before going back to Catholic University of America to continue his education.

In 1970, he became a professor and head of religious studies at Siena College in Loudonville, New York. He held several roles there, including director of the Franciscan College Student Program (1974-76), as well as vicar (1973-75) and guardian (1975-82) of the friary. During that time, he was also appointed to the Provincial Council of the legacy Holy Name Province, serving from 1977 to 1979. 

In 1982, he began a six-year stint as president and rector of Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, New York. He then moved to New York City, where he served as director of St. Anthony's Guild and Holy Name Province’s Development and Public Relations Offices from 1988 to 1996.  

He returned to Siena in 1996, where he served as the ninth president for 11 years. During his tenure, he presided over significant improvements in both campus facilities and academic programming, including the opening of the J. Spencer and Patricia Standish Library, the Gene and Mary Sarazen Student Union, the Morrell Science Center and Padua Residence Hall, as well as the renovation of Siena Hall and Roger Bacon Hall. 

He also implemented a $3.6 million Academic Excellence Plan, and oversaw the establishment of the Sr. Thea Bowman Center for Women, the Franciscan Center for Catholic Studies, and the Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy. 

“Fr. Kevin was a remarkable leader whose wisdom, humility, and Franciscan joy shaped the very heart of Siena. His decades of service as president, professor, and mentor left an indelible mark on our campus community,” said Chuck Seifert, Ph.D., Siena’s 13th and current president. “Siena is a better institution because of his vision and his unwavering belief in the transformative power of education founded on the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi.” 

Fr. Kevin became president emeritus in 2007, and after a yearlong sabbatical, was installed as president of Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York. Under his leadership, the Mount experienced transformative growth through the purchase of the Dominican Center and an accompanying $10 million campaign to turn it into a state-of-the-art living and learning environment; and through the launch of online RN to BS degree programs with a sports management concentration that remains popular today. 

In 2014, he retired to St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he served as parochial vicar of St. Raphael Parish until 2020, and as chaplain to the St. Petersburg Police Department. He moved to Teresian House in 2025. 

Fr. Kevin served on various national diocesan, Franciscan and educational committees, including reaccreditation teams and papal visitation teams in the United States. He maintained many professional affiliations: he served as chair of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities and the Metro Atlantic Conference Council of Presidents, and as commissioner of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. He served on the board of directors of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, and was a trustee of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities in New York. 

In addition to his distinguished career as an educator, Fr. Kevin also authored numerous articles and wrote several books, including “Christian Unity — the Next Step: 'That They May All Be One'”, “Enjoying God’s Gifts,” and “Integrity: Living God’s Word.” He appeared as a guest on numerous radio and television programs to speak about spirituality and religious identity. He also lectured on a variety of subjects, including the Bible, Christian theology, contemporary Catholic and Protestant thought, and the Gospels. 

His numerous awards include the Department of the Army’s Commander’s Award for Public Service, a New York State Legislative resolution honor, a Tech Valley Business Hall of Fame Award, and a Teresian Community Service Award. 

He is survived by his Franciscan brothers in the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe; sister Maureen (William) Biesty; sister-in-law Joan Mackin; several nieces and nephews; and his friend and publicist, Janet Gianopoulus.