Brother Peter X. Ahlheim, O.F.M.

BUTLER -- Brother Peter X. Ahlheim, O.F.M., age 90 years, a professed Franciscan Friar 56 years, of St. Anthony Friary, Butler, died July 13, 2023 at Chilton Hospital, Pompton Plains, after a short illness. A Brooklyn native, born William C. Ahlheim, July 8, 1933, Brother Peter was the son of Christian L. and Marion Higgins Ahlheim.

He was graduated from Our Lady Help of Christians grammar school, and Midwood High School, Brooklyn. He attended the Academy of Aeronautics technical school, completing studies in 1954, then served in the U. S. Army as a Private First Class. Brother Peter entered the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name (New York) Province, June 1965, professing first vows in 1966, and final vows in 1971. Prior to retirement in 2008, Brother Peter had served in building maintenance positions in Franciscan houses in Callicoon, NY, Manhattan, NY, Bronx, NY, and Lafayette, NJ. At St. Anthony Friary in Butler, Brother Peter served as the resident Arborist and garden expert. Much admired was his contemplative prayer life. His paintings of birds and wildlife adorn the walls of St. Anthony Friary. His Nativity scenes both inside and outside the Friary building were notable as was his care of the Friars’ small chapel. In the Bronx, NY, Brother Peter volunteered 25 years of maintenance services to the Poor Clare Nuns’ Monastery, as well as to the Little Sisters of the Poor at the Jeanne Jugan Residence. Later he also did carpentry assistance at the Poor Clare Nuns’ Monastery in Wappingers Falls, NY. Brother Peter is survived by his Franciscan confreres, also by cousins Susan Allocco of New Smyrna Beach, FL, and Mary Walsh of Greenlawn, NY, and a friend, Julia Bernstein of Mt. Kisco, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., St. Anthony Church, 65 Bartholdi Ave., Butler NJ. A Wake/Viewing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in St. Anthony Church. Burial in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Butler, following the Mass. Arrangements by the Morrison Etheridge Funeral Home, Butler NJ.