Father William Francis Modlin

Please join in praying for the repose of the soul of Father William Francis Modlin, a priest of the Diocese of Portland, who passed away on February 11, 2026, at the age of 91.

Father Modlin was born in Aulander, North Carolina, on January 11, 1935, the son of William and Mary (Malina) Modlin. His family moved to New Jersey where he received his early education. 

After high school, he entered the Congregation of the Holy Cross, remaining with the community until 1977. He also served two years with the New Jersey National Guard.

In 1992, he began his priestly formation for the Diocese of Portland. He attended Pope John XXIII Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, and was ordained a priest on June 1, 1996.

During his years of active ministry, he served in prison ministry, at the Togus VA Medical Center, and as pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Jackman and Holy Family Parish in Greenville. He also served as a parochial vicar at St. Augustine, St. Mary of the Assumption, and St. Andrew in Augusta, St. Joseph in Gardiner, St. Denis in Whitefield, St. Francis Xavier in Winthrop, and St. Leo in Litchfield.

He retired from active ministry in 2011.