St. Francis Friends of the Poor Mourns the Passing of Co-Founder Fr. McVean

Fr. McVean, OFM, a Franciscan friar and pioneer of the permanent supportive housing movement, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 19th, 2024, at the age of 85.

A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, January 8th at 11 AM at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, 135 West 31st Street, New York, NY.

Fr. John McVean will be deeply missed and remembered as a man of great vision and empathy. In his youth, he and his two siblings, Jane and Malcolm, tended to sheep at their home in Scottsville, NY, a small town just outside of Rochester.

Fr. John earned a Bachelor of Theology and a Master of Sociology, both from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. In 1966, he was received into the Order of Friars Minor at the Immaculate Conception Shrine and was ordained into priesthood in 1967 at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, both in Washington, D.C.

His first assignment in New York City altered the course of his life. For several years, Fr. McVean served as Vicar—second in command to his close friend and fellow friar, Fr. John Felice, who was Guardian—at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi on West 31st Street.

Fr. John McVean's life was defined by a passion for addressing the urgent needs beyond the walls of the friary. It was the homelessness crisis in New York City that inspired him, alongside Fr. John Felice and Fr. Thomas Walters, to establish St. Francis Friends of the Poor, widely credited as the first permanent supportive housing residence for homeless adults living with severe mental illness. Fr. McVean played a pivotal role as Program Director at St. Francis Friends of the Poor until his retirement in 2016 and remained an active member of the Board of Directors until his passing.

It all began with a conversation over two glasses of scotch between Fr. McVean and Fr. Felice at the Aberdeen Hotel, where they and other local service providers gathered to support those navigating homelessness. When the hotel was sold, they faced a difficult choice: abandon the people they had been serving, or find a solution. They chose the latter, purchasing the Beechwood Hotel, which in 1980 became the first St. Francis Friends of the Poor residence at 125 East 24th Street. From this humble beginning, their vision expanded into three residences, creating a lasting legacy that has touched countless lives over the past 44 years.

Fr. McVean’s unwavering dedication to the tenants and staff of St. Francis Friends of the Poor was evident in his life’s work. Partnering with Fr. Felice and Fr. Walters, he devoted himself to advocating for the dignity and respect of homeless individuals battling chronic mental illness. Their collaborative vision, established in 1980, has stood the test of time, with the program continuing to follow its original, impactful structure.

“Fr. McVean took a simple, direct, and pragmatic approach to supporting the homeless and mentally ill in New York City. By offering them housing and help with whatever they needed, he provided a solution that was both humane and cost-effective—a model every New York City neighborhood could adopt,” said Ellen Baxter, founder of Broadway Housing Communities, where Father McVean also served on the board of directors from 2006 to 2024.

Diane Sonde, MSW, Homeless Advocate and Former Director of Goddard Riverside Community Center's Project Reachout, reflected on his legacy:

“Working alongside John McVean was both a privilege and an inspiration. Guided by the leadership and vision of his close colleague Father John Felice, John played a vital role in establishing St. Francis Friends of the Poor in the early 1980s. This pioneering effort brought permanent supportive housing to New York City, providing safe, affordable homes with on-site medical, psychiatric, and social services for homeless individuals with severe mental illness. The organization's transformative work has changed countless lives and set a national standard for compassionate care. John's unwavering dedication will continue to inspire all who knew him. On a personal level, his friendship was a true gift; his wisdom, resilience, and steadfast commitment to justice will be deeply missed.”

Reflecting on his impact, Patricia Edith Harris Lebow, CEO of Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Mark D. Lebow, Board Chair of St. Francis Friends of the Poor, said in a joint statement:

“Fr. John McVean dedicated his life to helping the mentally ill homeless population of New York City. He succeeded in making their lives safer and more comfortable. He treated each of them with dignity. We shall all miss him.”

Fr. McVean is predeceased by his parents, Gene and Margaret McVean; his siblings, Jane, the eldest, and Malcolm, the youngest; and his dearest and closest friend, Fr. John Felice. He is survived by Barbara McVean, Malcolm’s wife; his nieces and nephews; numerous cousins; Province confreres; and his dear friend, Fr. Tom Walters, who continues to carry on their shared mission at St. Francis Friends of the Poor.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Francis Friends of the Poor, 155 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10011.