Fr. Thomas Hartle, OFM, 81, passes away

Fr. Thomas Hartle, OFM, 81, of St. Anthony Friary in Butler, New Jersey passed away on Feb. 5, 2026, while in Aruba. During his 49 years as a friar, he was known as a compassionate retreat leader and pastor with a wonderful sense of humor and a deep sense of joy.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Fr. Tom was born on Christmas Eve, 1944 in Clarion, Pennsylvania. His large family included parents Urban and Bessie (née Myers) Hartle and six siblings. He grew up in Pennsylvania and was educated there, attending Shippenville School in Shippenville, Keystone Jointure School in Knox, Immaculate Conception High School in Clarion and Gannon College in Erie.

On May 20, 1971, he was ordained a priest at the age of 26 for the Diocese of Erie. He then discerned a vocation to religious life as a Franciscan and was received into the Order of Friars Minor on June 25, 1975, professing first vows one year later. He made his solemn profession on July 21, 1979 and was assigned to serve at the St. Francis Retreat Center in Rye Beach, New Hampshire until 1990.  He was then assigned to reside at St. Francis Friary Novitiate in Brookline, Massachusetts and continued to offer spiritual direction, retreats and workshops at many and various locales.  In 1994, Fr. Tom joined the team at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Andover, Massachusetts.

From 1999 to 2008, Fr. Tom served as pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Butler, New Jersey, where his compassionate leadership and pastoral care deeply impacted the parish community.

Throughout his ministry spanning more than five decades, Fr. Tom conducted numerous pilgrimages to Italy, helping the faithful connect with their spiritual heritage. He was widely respected for leading retreats and days of recollection focused on Franciscan themes, sharing his wisdom and spiritual insights with all who sought guidance. His deep understanding of Franciscan spirituality made him an invaluable guide to the religious community, in general, and countless communities of religious sisters throughout the United States.

Throughout most of his ministry, he served as the spiritual assistant for the Poor Clare Nuns of the Holy Name Federation, a ministry he dedicated himself to since 1989.  

In a video recorded a few years ago, Fr. Tom reflected on his life as a friar. He summarized his vocation in one word: love.

“The Franciscan journey is an adventure in love, falling in love with God and opening yourself up and being receptive to God’s love for you,” he shared.

He is survived by his siblings, Martha Siegel, Gary (Marcia) Hartle, Bruce (Cheryl) Hartle, Emerson Hartle and David (Stacy) Hartle; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews; and his friar brothers of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Besides his parents, his brother Paul (Virginia) Hartel preceded Fr. Tom in death.