Father Francis J. Jann died Dec. 31, 2014, at the age of 92, in Brothers of Mercy Nursing Home in Clarence.

He was born March 12, 1922, in Buffalo, to Frank E. and Mary E. (Sekelsky) Jann. He attended St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in Kenmore and received degrees from Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure University. He was ordained in 1947.

Father Jann's first assignment was as administrator of St. Mary Parish in Mayville from 1947 to 1948, followed by assignments at Holy Name of Jesus, St. Agatha and St. Ambrose, all in Buffalo, from 1948 to 1966.

From 1966-1999, Father Jann was pastor of St. Patrick Church in Belfast. In 1984, he served as administrator of St. Patrick in Fillmore. He also served as pastor of St. Mark in Rushford from 1975 until 2011.

Father Jann is survived by cousins Thomas Sekelsky of Florida, James Sekelsky of California and Mary Louise Yoviene of Orchard Park.

A Mass was held in St. Patrick Church in Belfast, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery in Belfast.