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Father Floyd Lotito, OFM

Although Fr. Floyd had been in poor health for some years, particularly with heart problems, he continued to be an active presence as an advocate for the poor in the bay area. His sudden death in an Acute Care Center stunned friars throughout the Province, to say nothing of so many people in San Francisco where he had spent so much of his life. He was 74 years old, 55 years professed and 48 years ordained.

Fr. Floyd was actually born in Los Angeles on July 28, 1934, the son of truly Italian parents: Joseph Lotito and Filomena Pirri. He attend grammar school there as well as one year at Cathedral High School before entering St. Anthony’s Seminary. He was invested in the habit and began his novitiate at Mission San Miguel on July 12, 1953. He continued on to San Luis Rey College where solemn profession was on July 13, 1957, and ordination at Mission Santa Barbara on Dec. 17, 1960. A pastoral year at St. Mary’s, Stockton, CA, followed.

His first assignment for 5 years was at St. Anthony’s Seminary; after one year at St. Mary’s, Stockton, he moved to his beloved St. Boniface in San Francisco. Through the following years, with one term as a definitor, he lived both there and at St. Anthony’s friary (1991). Through the years he was assigned as guardian and vicar in those friaries. He also gave retreats at San Damiano Retreat and St. Francis Retreat. His easy-going and peace-filled style was always in evidence.

At the beginning of his association with St. Anthony Foundation and especially as director of the dining room, Fr. Floyd learned much from his mentor, Friar Alfred Boeddeker, and made his mark for promoting the ministry to the poor. Gradually he became remarkably well known within the city itself, including his annual blessing of the animals. He seemed to have a truly magnetic personality: everyone was a friend, from national and local politicians to the folks standing line for a meal.  He delivered the benediction at the 1984 Democratic National Convention, and blessed the opening of Pacific Bell Park at the pre-game ceremonies in 2000.His work was written about in Newsweek Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, The Examiner, and many other publications.

A news release from the St. Anthony Foundation states:
“At St. Anthony Foundation, Fr. Lotito served from 1970 to 1981 as Deputy Executive Director, working directly for the founder of St. Anthony Foundation, Fr. Alfred Boeddeker, OFM. Fr. Lotito also worked as Director of Public Relations, Director of St. Anthony Dining Room, and as a chaplain for St. Anthony's. Under his leadership, St. Anthony Dining Room began serving meals on Sundays in 1981. In 1983, he also developed a drop-in hygiene program at a time when few such services were available to homeless people in . He also oversaw the People's Picnic in Golden Gate Park in 1984, a day when St. Anthony Dining Room prepared a festive picnic for its guests. Since 1989, he served as a consultant, providing advice and service to staff, donors, clients, and the boards of St. Anthony Foundation.

“Fr. Lotito was also a familiar figure in the Tenderloin and throughout the City of St. Francis. Since 1990, each year he would preside over the Blessing of the Animals at St. Boniface Church, adjacent to St. Anthony Foundation. The blessing occurred on or around the Feast of St. Francis, October 4, and drew hundreds of cats, dogs, snakes, guinea pigs, and their guardians/owners. Since 1999, he also presided at the Blessing of the Taxi Fleet, also in front of St. Boniface Church, where cab drivers would line up for a block to receive a benediction.”

At the same time, he was always interested in the friars who found him to be most congenial and concerned for all. In 1989 he was appointed to be the Province Director of Communications and faithfully carried out this assignment, especially with his monthly news notes sent to every friar individually.  He was a truly dedicated friar, always interested and interesting. Despite his many accomplishments he never lost his sense of simplicity and zeal for the fraternity.

WJR

If you would like additional information please contact Ali Packard at ofmcadev@att.net

Charitable donations in memory of Father Floyd can be made online or by check made payable to “Franciscan Friars” and mailed to: The Franciscans, 1500 34th Ave, Oakland CA 94601.