Fr. Ferdinand Bakinowski, OFM Conv., son of Anthony and Sabina (Zdanowica) Bakinowski, was born on March 30, 1910, in Chelsea, MA. His elementary training was given to him in the Parish School of St. Stanislaus, Chelsea, and his secondary education was at the Chelsea high School. Motivated by the grace of a religious vocation, he sought admittance to the Conventual Franciscans. Accepted to the Community, he was sent to Ellicott City, MD, where with nine other novices, he was indoctrinated in the life and ways of the Friars and professed his simple vows on September 7, 1931, in the newly-completed Novitiate of St. Joseph Cupertino. They were the first group to pronounce their vows in the beautiful and artistic chapel. From 1931 to 1933 he studied philosophy at the Propaganda Seminary in Rome. From 1933 to 1936 he studied theology at the International Seraphic College of St. Bonaventure, Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1936 in Rome, Italy. Returning to the States, Fr. Ferdinand's priestly ministry in the beginning centered around the education and the formation apostolates. From 1937 to 1941 he was a teacher at St. Francis High School, Athol Springs, NY. From 1943 to 1951 he was a professor and Master of Clerics at St. Joseph Cupertino House of Philosophy, Ellicott City, MD. In 1951 Fr. Ferdinand was assigned as a teacher in the new Diocesan High School of Bishop Ryan, Buffalo, NY, and in 1956 he became guardian of the friary and the principal of the School. In 1969 Fr. Ferdinand left the teaching apostolate as he was elected the Treasurer of the Province of St. Anthony of Padua. He was also assigned to the following parochial assignments: St. Stanislaus Kostka, Baltimore, MD, and St. Casimir, Riverside, NJ. With his health failing, Fr. Ferdinand was assigned to St. Joseph Cupertino Friary, Ellicott City, MD, where he died on October 21, 1983, in the 74th year of his age, 53rd his religious Profession and 48th of his Priesthood.
After the services at St. Joseph Cupertino Friary, the body of Fr. Ferdinand was transferred to his native city of Chelsea, MA, where in the Church of St. Stanislaus, Bishop-Martyr, a Litirgy of Christian Burial was celebrated in the presence of the Minister Provincial, Fr. Marion Tolczyk, and Confreres. The mortal remains of Fr. Ferdinand were laid to rest in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden, MA (Friars' Plot, East Side, Grave 8).