Father Alexander Croker, C.P., St. Paul of the Cross Province (1893-1954)

Born Francis Croker on December 17, 1893 in Ireland he was the son of Francis Croker and Catherine Cunningham. When he was young the family migrated to the United States and settled in Newport News, Virginia. On March 23, 1910 he entered the Passionist novitiate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He professed his vows on March 24, 1911. On June 19, 1919 he was ordained a priest. His first years were spent teaching at the Passionist Preparatory Seminary in Dunkirk, New York. He was well known as a musician and taught the seminarians chant. Several years later he was transferred to Union City, New Jersey as a parish priest in St. Michael’s Monastery Parish. After some time he became Vicar at Holy Cross Seminary in Dunkirk and later its Rector. Then Father Crocker became Master of Novices and held the post for six years. At the time of his death in 1954 he was a member of the Pittsburgh community.