Brother Henry Hufnagel of the Abbey of the Genesee Trappist community in Piffard died Dec. 1, 2011, at the Livingston County Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Mount Morris. He was 86.
Born Roman J. Hufnagel in Lockport, Brother Hufnagel served in the U.S. Army in the Philippines during World War II. Prior to becoming a Trappist monk, he worked at Bell Aircraft Co. in Niagara Falls. At 30, he entered the Abbey of the Genesee in 1955 as a lay brother.
At the monastery, he raised bees, worked on the farm and worked in the bakery, where he served for a time as manager. He was known for making rosaries, which he gave as gifts. For a number of years, he served as submaster of novices, and he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his solemn profession in April 2011.
He is survived by a brother, John (Mary Rose) Hufnagel of Lockport; four sisters, Florence Hufnagel of Lockport, Elizabeth (Tom) Ellerbusch of Arizona, Mary Ann Simmons of Arizona and Rose Mary (Jerry) Stevenson of Rhode Island; many nieces and nephews; and his fellow Trappist monks.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Dec. 5, 2011, at the abbey, with burial in the abbey's cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Abbey of the Genesee, PO Box 159, Piffard, NY 14533.
