Rev. William R. Tuyn
Deceased: 2014-04-05
Diocese: BUFFALO
Seminary Graduation Year: 1963
CSM Graduation Year: 1969
The Rev. William R. Tuyn, a retired priest who remained active in the Jamestown area, died Saturday, April 5, 2014 in Hospice Buffalo. He was 76.
Born in Buffalo, he was a graduate of Little Seminary of St. Joseph and the Little Flower in Buffalo. He was a graduate of Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure University and received a master’s degree from the Pontifical North American College of Rome. He also attended Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, considered to be the Vatican’s premier training ground for priests and others entering religious life. The Pontifical North American College is a seminary community sponsored by dioceses from across the United States and Australia for priestly ministry.
Father Tuyn was ordained into the priesthood by Archbishop Martin J. O’Connor at Church of Cristo Re in Rome on Dec. 19, 1962. He served as a missionary apostolate from 1963 to 1966. He taught higher studies at North American College from 1966 to 1969. Returning to the U.S., he became a professor at St. John Vianney Seminary in East Aurora from 1969 to 1976.
A temporary administrator from 1976 to 1978, Father Tuyn served at Sacred Heart in Lakewood; SS. Brendan and Jude in Almond-Alfred; Our Lady of Victory in Frewsburg; and St. Nicholas in Buffalo.
He was pastor at St. John Church in Jamestown from 1978 to 1991 and St. Vincent de Paul Church in North Evans from 1991 to 2009. He retired July 1, 2010, from his pastoral duties but continued to serve as a temporary administrator for St. Philomena in Franklinville during 2011.
Father Tuyn was a member of the Catholic Theological Society of America, North American College Alumni, Lake Shore Association of Christian Churches and the Ethics Committee Lake Association.
He also was a member of the Jamestown Ministerial Association, Jamestown Ecumenical Ministries and served on the Grants Committee of Jamestown Community Foundation and board of St. Susan Soup Kitchen in Jamestown.
Survivors include a brother, Robert, and four sisters, Geraldine Brick, Alicia, Rosemary Schultz and Julie Wortham.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. today in St. Paul Church, 33 Victoria Blvd., Kenmore.
