Honoring Our Basilian Fathers at St. Mary's College
The purpose of this webpage is to recognize and honor the Basilian Fathers who played a significant role in bringing Catholic Education to Sault Ste Marie in 1956 by starting a new high school called St. Mary's College. In our 69th year, the Basilians left a legacy of Love and Comradery that we will forever be grateful for as they helped teach us Catholicism and develop the whole body in our every day lives while shaping the traditions that continue to resonate today.
Although the Basilians are no longer involved in our schools direction they are still providing their teachings and leadership in other areas of North America and beyond.
To learn more about their Charism and Service to the world connect to their website https://basilian.org/en/about-us/our-charism/ for more information.
This page is in development/draft form as information becomes available.
The Basilian Fathers and Secondary Education in Ontario
authored by Basilian the late Rev Jim Rent C.S.B.
Rev Matthew Thomas Mulcahy CSB
7-Jan-1911 – 18-Feb-2000
MULCAHY, Matthew Thomas BIO
Information from the DICTIONARY OF BASILIAN BIOGRAPHY Lives of Members of the Congregation of Priests of Saint Basil from Its Origins in 1822 to 2002 SECOND EDITION Revised and augmented by P. Wallace Plattf
MULCAHY, Matthew Thomas, priest, grandnephew of Father Michael Joseph *Mulcahy and of Father John Read *Teefy, was born on 7 January 1911 in Orillia, Ontario (archdiocese of Toronto), the son of Matthew Teefy Mulcahy and Gertrude Rolland. He died in Toronto on 18 February 2000 and is buried in the Basilian plot of Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill, Ontario.
After graduation from Orillia Collegiate Institute in 1929 ‘Matt’ Mulcahy attended St Michael’s College, Toronto (B.A., University of Toronto, 1932), enrolled in the Ontario College of Education, and began teaching high school in Ontario, first at Penetanguishene (three years) and then at South Porcupine (four years). He obtained a specialist’s certification in physical education in 1937 and an Ontario High School principal’s certification in 1942. By special permission, he delayed his entrance to St Basil’s Novitiate, Toronto, until 29 December 1941 (the usual date was 5 August) in order first to earn enough money to pay his income tax. Professed on 8 January 1943, he spent the next six months teaching at St Michael’s College School.
He studied theology at St Basil’s Seminary, Toronto, 1943–7, and was ordained to the priesthood on 15 August 1946 in St Basil’s Church by Cardinal James Charles McGuigan. In 1947 Father Mulcahy was appointed once again to St Michael’s College School, where he taught and was Basilian second councilor. In 1951 he was sent to Sudbury, Ontario, to found St Charles College, where he served as principal and religious superior.
During his last year there, 1955–6, he supervised the founding and building of St Mary’s
College in Sault Ste Marie. As its first principal and superior, he set out to win for St Mary’s a reputation for academic excellence and school spirit.
In 1961 he returned to St Charles to teach, but in 1962 was appointed to St Paul’s High School, Saskatoon, where he taught for one year while living at St Thomas More College. After spending the years 1963–6 as an exchange professor at St Lawrence College, Quebec City, he returned to St Michael’s College School, where he remained actively involved for the next thirty-three years. With all his gifts for administration and human relations, Matt Mulcahy was essentially a teacher, whether of English literature or mathematics, archery or skiing. His greatest joy was to see his students surpass him and achieve excellence. He loved the out-of-doors and participative sports of all kinds. He supervised Strawberry Island several summers, making it more attractive as a gathering place for all Dictionary of Basilian Biography 463 Basilians.
His sisters in Orillia helped acquire property on the mainland canal, subsequently named ‘Mulcahy Landing,’ from where the Basilian boats serviced the Island. ‘Matt’ was ready to learn from others, and office, prestige, or compliments were matters of indifference to him.
During the early years of St Mary’s College, as he was scrubbing floors, a visitor approached and asked to see the principal. ‘I’m the principal,’ he said. ‘Oh,’ said the visitor, ‘I thought you were the janitor.’ ‘That, too,’ said Matt. Such was this priest, teacher, and admirable human being who enriched Basilian education for half a century.
He was deeply touched by the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity conferred on him by the University of St Michael’s College in 1994. He understood and accepted the honour as a recognition not only of his service but also of the Basilian contribution to Catholic secondary education.
In 1999, at the age of eighty-eight, Father Mulcahy fell with a collapsing scaffold while putting up a net in the school gymnasium. Treatment for a broken hip at a Toronto hospital and a period of recuperation at his sisters’ home at Orilla, Ontario, allowed him to return to St Michael’s before the end of the year. Increasing frailty, however, required his moving to Anglin House, the Basilian infirmary, early in 2000. His good spirits never failed, nor did his interest in
the community and sense of humor. He died suddenly one morning after returning to his room from breakfast.
sources: GABF; Annals 1 (1946) 121, 8 (1994) 23–6, 8 (1997) 5–6, 9 (2001) 87–9; Newsletter (20 March 2000); Michael
Higgins, ‘Lives Lived,’ Globe and Mail (5 September 2000); E.J. Lajeunesse, Strawberry Island in Lake Simcoe (Toronto,
1962, 1974, 1983, 1984) 76–7.
Rev Pat Lalonde CSB
15-Nov-1927 – 9 Oct-2013
Father Pat Lalonde Biography LALONDE, Patrick Alfred, priest, brother of Father Gerald Lalonde CSB, was born on 15 November 1927 at Capreol, Ontario (diocese of Sault Ste Marie), the son of Alfred Lalonde and Mary Agnes Helferty. He died in Toronto on 9 October 1987 and is buried in the Basilian plot of Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill, Ontario.
After primary school and two years of secondary school at Capreol, ‘Pat’ enrolled in 1944 at Assumption College School, Windsor, and the following year transferred to St Michael’s College, Toronto, where he completed high school. In 1946 he entered St Basil’s Novitiate, Toronto, making first profession on 15 August 1947. He was appointed to Assumption College, Windsor, for undergraduate studies in science (B.A., University of Western Ontario, 1950). He taught science and health for one year at Aquinas Institute, Rochester.
In 1951 he began theological studies at St Basil’s Seminary, Toronto, moving to St Michael’s College one year later, and attending the Ontario College of Education, where he earned Type B teaching certification and Type A certification in physical education, 1953. He returned to St Basil’s Seminary in 1953 and was ordained to the priesthood on 29 June 1955 in St Basil’s Church, Toronto, by Bishop Francis Allen.
Father Lalonde was appointed to join Father Matthew *Mulcahy at St Mary’s College, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, forming the pioneer Basilian staff at that school. He brought to St Mary’s not only extraordinary gifts as teacher and coach but also a youthful enthusiasm and love of the community. He remained at the school for fifteen years, serving as local councilor for the Basilian community, 1960–6, and as superior, 1966–71. In 1971 he was appointed to St Charles College, Sudbury, Ontario, where he remained for one year.
In 1972 he was named principal Dictionary of Basilian Biography 339 pal of Assumption College School, a position he held until 1978, serving as local councilor for the Basilian community the whole time.
In 1978 Father Lalonde returned to St Mary’s in the Sault as principal for two years and was then appointed to Michael Power High School, Etobicoke, Ontario, as teacher and chaplain. In 1985 he was named superior of the local community there. At this time it was discovered that he suffered from leukemia. Although he had periods of remission, it weakened him to the point that he requested to be relieved of the office of superior. He was appointed to St Basil’s College in 1986, where he assisted in the formation of young Basilians while remaining on the guidance and chaplaincy staff of Michael Power. Sickness could not suppress his pleasant character or his universal kindness. In co-operation with Mrs Rose Marie McIsaac and others, Pat Lalonde fostered the lay associate movement in the Basilian community. His life was marked by a spirit of adventure. He often organized Father Pat Lalonde Biography outings and trips among the confreres, one of which was intended for Egan Lake on the weekend which followed his death. At St Basil’s College he was an example of courage and patience. In a homily there he said, ‘We can expect that the Lord will ask us for difficult things in our lives and we don’t like hard things; but ... it is simply a demonstration of his confidence in us.’ In an address to a Cursillo group he once said: ‘Devoted parents, good friends: good books, great music, beautiful scenery, indeed anything at all may be used by God to lead us toward life. Even sickness, failure, pain, sorrow may be graces by which God directs those whom he loves towards eternal happiness.’
sources: GABF; Annals 2 (1955) 199, 6 (1988) 706–8; Newsletter (26 October 1987); Gerald Lalonde CSB.
Rev. Gerald Augustin Lalonde C.S.B.
28 August, 1937 – 14 June, 2016
Peacefully at Toronto General Hospital on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 as a result of lung cancer. Fr. Gerry was born in Sudbury on August 28, 1937. He is predeceased by his parents Alfred and Mary and his brothers Ivan, Vincent, Denzil, Kenneth and Fr. Patrick CSB, and his sister Ovella. He is survived by his sister Margaret and by many nieces and nephews. In 1956 he entered the Basilian Novitiate. He was professed in 1957, educated at the U of St. Michaels College and St. Basil's Seminary in Toronto, Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice in Paris and ordained December 17, 1966. Fr. Gerry taught at Assumption College School (Windsor), St. Charles College (Sudbury) and St. Mary’s College (Sault Ste. Marie). He served at Holy Rosary Church (Toronto), Canadian Martyrs Church (Calgary) and Our Lady of Peace Church (Capreol). After a number of years living at the Basilian Fathers’ Residence, Orsini House, Fr. Gerry moved back to Capreol last summer, a place he loved dearly.
There will be a Wake Service in the Chapel of the Cardinal Flahiff Basilian Centre, 95 St. Joseph Street, Toronto on Thursday, June 16 at 7:30 PM. The Funeral Mass for Fr. Gerald Lalonde will be in the chapel on Friday, June 17 at 10:00 AM, followed by burial at the Basilian plot in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery beside his brother, Fr. Pat.
Rev Thomas Amlin CSB
19 August 1935 - 2 December 1979
AMLIN, Thomas Delbert, priest, was born in Windsor on 19 August 1935, one of five sons of Malcolm Amlin and May Anderson. He died in Toronto on 2 December 1979 and is buried in the Basilian plot of Heavenly Rest Cemetery, Windsor.
Tom was educated in Windsor, first at Immaculate Conception and DeLa Salle parochial schools and then at Patterson Collegiate and W.D. Lowe Vocational School, where he graduated in 1955.
He worked at Ford of Canada until 1962, when he entered St Basil’s Novitiate, Pontiac, Michigan. After profession on 15 August 1963, he taught for one year at Catholic Central High School, Detroit, while studying accounting at the University of Detroit (B.B.A., 1964). He taught at Michael Power High School, Etobicoke, Ontario, 1964–5, and then at Catholic Central, 1965–6, before beginning theological studies at St Basil’s Seminary, Toronto. In 1969 he was appointed to Aquinas Institute, Rochester, to teach part-time and to continue theological studies at St Bernard’s Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood on 13 December 1969 in St Scholastica’s Church, Detroit, by Bishop Walter Schoenherr.
In 1970 Father Amlin was appointed to St Mary’s College, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. In October of the following year he underwent surgery for a malignant brain tumour, and resumed his teaching after a short recuperation. In June 1973, he was appointed to St Basil’s College, Toronto, as bursar, while teaching part-time at St Michael’s College School, Toronto.
In 1975 he returned to St Mary’s College to supervise the library and to teach. The last year of his life was one of intense suffering. In the space of seven months he twice underwent brain surgery. He had a great desire to return to his work after the second intervention, and did so, but only for a short time. He was taken to St Basil’s Infirmary in Toronto in the latter part of October 1979, and died there five weeks later.
Throughout his relatively short life as a Basilian priest, Father Amlin was thoroughgoing, steady and reliable in his work. He was an uncomplaining and deeply spiritual person. He accepted his various appointments and his illness with admirable equanimity. He enjoyed solitude, but was also a ready and affable community man. His habitual consideration of others was especially seen in his concern for those who cared for him in his suffering.
sources: GABF; Annals 4 (1970) 126, 5 (1980) 524–5; Newsletter (6 December
1979).
Rev William J Brown CSB
4 July, 1925 – 23 July, 2013
BROWN, William James, priest, was born on 15 August 1915 in Toronto, the son of William Brown and Mary Carleton. He died in Toronto on 19 March 1991 and is buried in the Basilian plot of Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill, Ontario. ‘Bill’ Brown received his elementary education in St Anthony and St James parochial schools in Toronto.
In 1928 he entered the high school section of St Michael’s College, Toronto, transferring three years later to Runnymede Collegiate Institute where he graduated in 1933. In the fall of that year he began a general arts course with math and physics options at St Michael’s College (B.A., University of Toronto, 1937).
That year he entered St Basil’s Novitiate, Toronto. After profession on 12 September 1938, he was appointed to Aquinas Institute, Rochester, where he taught mathematics for one year.
In 1939 he began four years of theological studies at St Basil’s Seminary, Toronto, enrolling concurrently in undergraduate courses in chemistry at St Michael’s and philosophy at the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies. During the year 1941–2 he lived at St Michael’s College and attended the Ontario College of Education (Ontario High School assistant’s certification, 1942). He returned to the seminary for his final year of theology and was ordained on his twenty-eighth birthday, 15 August 1943, in St Basil’s Church, Toronto, by Archbishop James Charles McGuigan.
In 1944 Father Brown was appointed to St Michael’s College to teach. He completed an M.A. in philosophy at the University of Toronto and served as assistant treasurer of the college for the last two years of his stay there, 1948–50. He was then appointed to the new St Michael’s College School on Bathurst Street, where, in addition to his classroom duties, he served as treasurer of the school for his first four years. In 1955 he was appointed to St Charles College, Sudbury, Ontario, where he taught mathematics and served as first councillor for the local community.
In 1961 he was moved to St Mary’s College, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, as principal and superior. He continued teaching mathematics and, as the ‘new math’ was being introduced, attended special classes in it sponsored by the Ontario Separate Schools Teachers Federation. When his term as principal came to an end in 1966 he asked to be relieved of administrative duties and to be assigned to classroom teaching only. He was appointed to Michael Power High School, Etobicoke, Ontario, to teach mathematics, and was granted a half-year sabbatical in 1968 to study in Ottawa towards the Ontario Type A teaching certification, which he received in 1971.
After retirement from the classroom at Michael Power in 1981, he was appointed to St Michael’s College, where he was elected first councillor of the Basilian community and served as Director of Student Awards until 1989. He returned to Michael Power, where he suffered a fatal heart attack in March 1991.
‘Dollar Bill’ was a nickname he received for his meticulous attention to financial details, and the community drew confidently on his financial acumen and experience. He demanded excellence of himself, his confreres, and his students. Teaching mostly at the grade XIII level, he frequently remained in the classroom after school to tutor and encourage his students. Bill was affable in his manner with others and much disposed to humour. He was extremely well read in British history and culture, especially the monarchy. For many years he took his annual vacation in England, staying at a convent of nuns where he said Mass daily for the sisters and in return received free accommodation.
bibliography: ‘Mathematics in Basilian Schools [forum],’ Basilian Teacher 4 (December 1959) 65.
sources: GABF; Annals 1 (1944) 54, 6 (1989) 720, 7 (1992) 128–30; Newsletter (3
April 1991).
Rev. Hugh McMahon Foley, C.S.B.
4 July, 1925 – 23 July, 2013
Peacefully in his room among his lifelong colleagues and friends at the Basilian Retirement Home, Anglin House, on Tuesday, July 23, 2013. Hugh was born in Chatham, ON on July 4, 1925, one of three children of Vincent Foley and Edith McMahon. In 1937 the Foley family moved to Toronto where Hugh enrolled in grade 9 at St. Michael’s College School. There he played football and hockey with the Junior A St. Michael’s Majors until 1942. He was professed in the Congregation of St. Basil in 1943. After studies at the University of St. Michael’s College he was ordained a priest in the Congregation in 1950. During his life he was a high school teacher, guidance counsellor and sports coach, interspersed with being assistant pastor in Windsor, ON. Hugh was a loyal and supportive friend to many people including his Basilian confrères. He is survived also by loving nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 26 from 6:30 p.m. with a Wake Service at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel of the Cardinal Flahiff Basilian Centre, 95 St. Joseph Street, Toronto. Visitation will also be held on Saturday, July 27 from 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in the same chapel. Burial will be at the Basilian plot at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Thornhill, ON. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Basilian Fathers Retirement Fund, 95 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3C2.
REV. DENNIS CUVILLIER FOY C.S.B.
23 August 1930 - 11 January 2003
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1973
Rev. John J. Hurley, CSB
October 21, 1940 to June 5, 2021
Died at Presentation Manor, Scarborough, Ontario, on June 5, 2021, after a long decline and a hip fracture. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph Hurley and Mary Durand, and is survived by his brothers William and Kenneth. John Joseph Hurley was born in Stratford, Ontario, on 21 October 1940.
After graduating from Stratford Collegiate in 1958 he obtained a BA from Assumption University in 1963. Jack went to the Ontario College of Education in 1963 and then taught at Nappanee District Separate School. He applied to become a Basilian in 1967 and was sent to teach at St. Mary’s College, Sault Ste. Marie.
Jack professed First Vows with the Basilian Fathers of Toronto in 1969 and was ordained a priest on 20 November 1982. During his priestly ministry he served in many different locations. He taught in Basilian high schools and served at St. Mary’s Church in Owen Sound. He spent 11 summers as a chaplain for the Canadian Armed Forces. His final assignment before his health failed was as chaplain at McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario) from 1999-2010.
Due to a serious deterioration in his health in 2010, Jack moved to the Cardinal Flahiff Basilian Centre in Toronto. In November 2018, Fr. Jack moved with the Basilian Fathers’ Retirement Community to Presentation Manor (Scarborough). A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at the chapel there. Burial will be at the Basilian plot at Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill, ON. Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Presentation Manor. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Basilian Fathers Retirement Fund, 95 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3C2.
1973
Rev James Arnold Megan
27 August 1915 - 13 September 1990
MEGAN, James ARNOLD Biography Information from the DICTIONARY OF BASILIAN BIOGRAPHY Lives of Members of the Congregation of Priests of Saint Basil from Its Origins in 1822 to 2002 MEGAN,
James ARNOLD, priest, MEGAN, James ARNOLD was born on 27 August 1915 in Montreal, one of three children of Francis Megan and Regina Quinn. He died in Toronto on 13 September 1990 and is buried in the Basilian plot of Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill, Ontario. ‘Arnie,’ or ‘Meeg,’ attended St Dominic’s parochial school and D’Arcy McGee High School, Montreal, and then took a two-year course in analytical and quantitative chemistry at Sir George Williams College, Montreal.
He developed an early interest in farming, since his parents were raised on farms and he spent summers on the farm of an uncle. In 1937 he went to the Marylake Farm School, operated by St Michael’s College, Toronto, under the direction of Father Michael *Oliver, where he remained for one year. In 1938 he entered St Basil’s Novitiate, Toronto, and was professed on 15 August 1939. He was then appointed to Assumption College, Windsor, where he completed his university studies, majoring in mathematics and science (B.A., University of Western Ontario, 1943).
He taught for one year at Aquinas Institute, 432 Dictionary of Basilian Biography Rochester, and for one year at St Michael’s College School, Toronto. In the summers he attended the Ontario College of Education, earning a permanent Type B teaching certification, 1945. He studied theology at St Basil’s Seminary, Toronto, 1945–9, and was ordained to the priesthood on 29 June 1948 in St Basil’s Church, Toronto, by Cardinal James Charles McGuigan.
In 1949 Father Megan began four decades of teaching in Basilian high schools: St Michael’s College School, 1949–54 and 1955–71, Aquinas Institute, Rochester, 1954–5, and St Joseph’s High School, Ottawa, as both teacher and community treasurer, 1971–3.
In 1973 he was transferred to St Mary’s College, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, where he remained until failing health obliged his move in 1990 to the Basilian Fathers Residence (Infirmary) in Toronto. Meeg was a man of inexhaustible energy and thoroughness. He instilled inquisitiveness in his students, for he himself was unceasingly questioning, seeking, experimenting, and venturing. He claimed to have worked out the formula for better colour photography before Kodak came to the same conclusion, though this would be hard to substantiate. He paddled a canoe from Lake Superior to Strawberry Island in Lake Simcoe, though he did not know how to swim. He explored woods and rivers, abandoned mine shafts, animal physiology, human conception rhythms, and map-drawing for scientific experiments as they related to biology. On retirement in 1986 he was presented with a computer, and in short order was writing programs and teaching others.
At the request of the general council he made a valuable study of Basilian superannuation and pensions in Ontario, and helped draw up a detailed and just account of Basilian ownership and services for the sale of St Mary’s College.
When diagnosed with cancer in 1987, he continued to inquire and explore in the measure his failing health permitted; but in 1990 he ‘surrendered’ to the cancer and retired to Toronto, where he told his confreres that, intrigued to know what was on the other side, he was ready to die. On his seventy-fifth birthday, just seventeen days before his death, he wrapped his computer in a large bow and presented it to the confreres at the residence.
sources: GABF; Annals 1 (1948) 219, 7 (1991) 144–6; Newsletter (2 October 1990)
DICTIONARY OF BASILIAN BIOGRAPHY
Lives of Members of the Congregation of Priests of Saint Basil from Its Origins in 1822 to 2002
Rev. Marvin Walter LaBute CSB
April 25, 1937 - November 13, 2018
Rev. Marvin Walter LaBute CSB, 81 years old, died of complications from kidney disease at Anglin House, Toronto.
He was a Basilian for 62 years and a priest for 52 years. Marvin was born in Tecumseh, ON to Alex LaBute and Stella Desjardins. He is predeceased by his two sisters, Rose Marie Lindquist and Annabelle Fauteaux. He is survived by his many nieces and nephews.
Marvin entered the Richmond Hill Novitiate in 1955. He obtained a B.A. in 1960. He entered St. Basil's Seminary to begin his Theology studies; then he was appointed to Maison Saint-Basile, a Basilian residence in Paris for Theology II and III. Following this, he returned to St. Basil's Seminary for Theology IV. He looked back on his time studying in France as a positive and formative time in his life.
On December 10, 1966, Marvin was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop C.L. Nelligan in Assumption Church in Windsor, ON. Marvin served the Congregation of St. Basil as Secretary General from 1982 - 1989. He was a devoted teacher of French and Taught in Sault Ste. Marie, Windsor, Detroit, and Oakland. Memorial Funeral Mass will be at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Presentation Manor, 61 Fairfax Cres., Toronto, ON.
Interment to be held at a later date at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Thornhill, ON. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Basilian Fathers' Retirement Fund, 95 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, ON M5S3C2
Rev Frederick Joseph Killaire CSB
16 May 1944 - 21 June 1976
KILLAIRE, Frederick Joseph, priest, was born on 16 May 1944 in Windsor, the son of Theodore Joseph Killaire and Shirley May Ryckman. He died in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, on 21 June 1976, and is buried in the Basilian plot of Heavenly Rest Cemetery, Windsor.
‘Rick’ Killaire attended De La Salle elementary school and Assumption College School, Windsor, graduating in 1962. In August of that year he entered St Basil’s Novitiate, Pontiac, Michigan, and was first professed on 15 August 1963. As an undergraduate he lived for two years at Assumption University and two years at the Basilian House of Studies, Windsor (B.A., University of Windsor, 1967).
He taught at Michael Power High School, Etobicoke, Ontario, 1967–8, and at Assumption College School, 1968–70. His theological studies were taken at St Basil’s College, Toronto (M.Div., University of St Michael’s College, 1973). He served as a deacon at St Basil’s Parish, Toronto, 1973–4, and was ordained to the priesthood in Ste Anne’s Church, Detroit, on 11 May 1974 by Bishop Walter Schoenherr.
330 Dictionary of Basilian Biography Father Killaire’s first and only appointment was to St Mary’s College, Sault Ste Marie. The life of teaching to which he had looked forward was cut short by his death two years later from a weak and enlarged heart. Rick Killaire loved literature, music, and art.
His gift for conversation was enriched by extensive reading. An enthusiastic teacher, he was particularly well informed in the history of the Church. He shone in small groups, and is remembered for his joviality and good humour, which was sometimes attenuated by uneasiness about being overweight. Only in the last days of his life did he seem to find peace from an angst which he had suffered for years.
sources: GABF; Annals 5 (1975) 68, 5 (1977) 252–3; Newsletter (25 June 1976).
1977
Rev. Brian P. Higgins CSB
15 MARCH, 1926 – 4 NOVEMBER, 2016
At St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Fri. Nov. 4, 2016 after a fall six days earlier at Anglin house, a residence of the Basilian Fathers. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Hubert Patrick and survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends.
Father Brian was born on March 15, 1926 and was professed in the Basilian Fathers in 1947. He taught at St. Michael’s College School, Toronto for one year in 1951. After ordination in Toronto in 1954, he was sent to teach another of several times at St. Michael’s.
In 1962 he taught and coached the senior football team at St. Mary’s College (a high school) in Sault Ste. Marie, ON for 12 years. He was then Principal at Basilian high schools in Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and Windsor and taught in Toronto at Michael Power HS and again at St. Michael’s. Shortly after a new St. Mary’s College was built, the football field was named “Fr. Brian Higgins Field” on Oct. 30, 2015. This is an indication that Fr. Brian was always a larger-than-life character and will forever be remembered especially at St. Mary’s College and St. Michael’s College School.
Visitation will be held Tues. Nov. 8 from 6:30 PM with a wake service at 7:30 PM in the Chapel of the Cardinal Flahiff Basilian Centre, 95 St. Joseph St., Toronto. Visitation will also be held Wed. Nov. 9 from 9 AM until a Funeral Mass at 10 AM in the same Chapel. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill ON. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Basilian Fathers Retirement Fund, 95 St. Joseph Street, Toronto ON M5S 3C2.
View Father Brian Higgins Sootoday article.
View an SMC Alumni profile of Higgy A St. Mary's Man authored by Robert Denham
Rev Patrick Francis McCabe
28 December 1928 - 12 May 1992
MCCABE, Patrick FRANCIS, priest, was born on 28 December 1928 at Arthur, Ontario (diocese of London), the son of Patrick McCabe and Lena Herriot. He died in Toronto on 12 May 1992 and is buried in the Basilian plot of Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill, Ontario.
Frank McCabe attended Sacred Heart parochial school at Kenilworth, Ontario, and Arthur High School. Following the suggestion of his high school principal, Mr Pat Brown, whom he had consulted about the priesthood, he entered St Basil’s Novitiate, Toronto, in 1948 and made first profession on 15 August 1949.
He was appointed to live at Holy Rosary Seminary, Toronto, during his university studies in Toronto, but in 1950 he was transferred to Assumption College, Windsor (B.A.,University of Western Ontario, 1953). After spending the year 1953–4
at the Grand Séminaire de Québec studying theology, he taught French one year at St Michael’s College School and then at Assumption College School. He finished his theology studies at St Basil’s Seminary, Toronto, 1956–9, and was ordained to the priesthood on 29 June 1958 in St Basil’s Church, Toronto, by Cardinal James Charles McGuigan.
In 1959 Father McCabe was appointed once more to St Michael’s College, again for only one year. In 1960 he was named to St Mary’s College, Sault Ste Marie, where he spent fourteen years and where, besides teaching, he was local councillor, 1961–4, 1967–9, treasurer, 1961–4, superior, 1971–4, head of the French department and director of athletics. He spent a sabbatical year, 1974–5, with the Basilian community in Annonay. In 1975 he returned to the classroom at Assumption College School, Windsor, where he taught French, coached, and was local councillor and principal, 1978–82. In 1981 he was elected regional representative for Eastern Canada, an office to which he was twice re-elected and in which he was notable for attention to the confreres, good judgment in council meetings, and strong devotion to the Basilian mission of education. While on the council he was principal of St Michael’s College School for two years, 1986–8, and was the canonical visitor to the Basilians in France.
Father McCabe saw teaching, coaching, and administration as equally important in education, and exercised all three wholeheartedly. He earned certification as a principal and in counselling and guidance.
After being diagnosed with inoperable prostate cancer in 1991, he survived for slightly less than a year, working as long as he could and meeting death with the equanimity and faith which had characterized his life.
bibliography: ‘Poverty Has to Be a Personal Thing,’ Basilian Forum 1 (December 1964) 43–4.
sources: GABF; Annals 2 (1958) 359, 7 (1993) 128–30; Newsletter (21 May 1992).0000
1973
1978
Rev Edward Augustine O'Reilly CSB
21-Jan-1924
O’REILLY, Edward Augustine, priest, elder brother of Father Eugene O’Reilly CSB, was born on 21 January 1924 on Wolfe Island, Ontario (archdiocese of Kingston), the son of James O’Reilly and Helen Finn. He died in Toronto on 4 May 1997 and is buried in the Basilian plot of Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill, Ontario. Having come to know the Basilian Fathers at Marylake Farm, Ontario, Ed enrolled in the high school section of St Michael’s College, Toronto, in 1941.
He entered St Basil’s Novitiate, Toronto, in 1944 and made first profession of vows on 15 August 1945. He was then appointed to Assumption College, Windsor (B.A., University of Western Ontario, 1948). He taught at Catholic Central High School, Detroit, 1948–9, at St Thomas High School, Houston, 1949–50, where he also began his theological studies, and then at St Michael’s College School, 1950–1, before completing his theology at St Basil’s Seminary, Toronto. He was ordained to the priesthood on 29 June 1953 in St Basil’s Church, Toronto, by Cardinal James Charles McGuigan.
Father O’Reilly taught for thirty-three years in six Basilian high schools: Aquinas Institute, Rochester, 1954–7, concurrently earning an M.Ed. from the University of Rochester, 1957; St Charles College, Sudbury, Ontario, 1957–8, where he also served as treasurer; Aquinas Institute once again, 1958–62, with summer graduate courses in history, his teaching specialization, at Canisius College, Buffalo, New York; Michael Power High School, Etobicoke, Ontario, 1962–5; Andrean High School, Gary (now Merrillville), Indiana, 1965–7; and St Mary’s College, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, 1967–87. He was granted a sabbatical year in 1987, which he spent at St Albert the Great Parish, Las Cruces, New Mexico. This was followed by an appointment to St
Mary’s of the Assumption Parish, Owen Sound, Ontario, where he resided for two years. In 1990, because of failing health, he was appointed to the Basilian Fathers Residence (Infirmary) in Toronto, where he lived until January 1997, when it became necessary to move him to Providence Centre, Scarborough, Ontario, to receive the care his condition now demanded and where he died peacefully in his sleep some four months later.
Ed O’Reilly was a gentle, affable, and very sociable man. In later years he grew a long and full beard. During his long tenure in Sault Ste Marie he was active in the charismatic movement, much to the satisfaction of Bishop Alexander Carter. The degeneration of his health over a period of years was as painful to observe as it was painful to endure. Robert Barbeau, a colleague in the Sault, wrote, ‘Colourful Father O’Reilly brings many fond and humorous memories to mind, when we think back to his classroom in portables, with the raccoons under the floorboards and the students adjusting grades in his marks book.'
Preaching at his brother’s funeral, Father Eugene O’Reilly said in part: ‘He strove to ensure that the Christ who linked His life with his in baptism ... did not remain a shadowy figure on the margins of his life, but became a friend in whom he confided more and more.’
bibliography: ‘Human-Christian-Religious Development,’ Forum 2 (May
1966) 76–7.
sources: GABF; Annals 2 (1953) 110, 9 (1998) 76–7; Newsletter (25 June 1997).
Father Paul McGill CSB
1978
Louis Charles EDWARD, McLean
24-Dec-1925 - 27-Nov-1990
MCLEAN, Louis Charles EDWARD, priest, was born on 24 December 1925 in Oakville, Ontario (diocese of Hamilton), the second youngest of eight children of Martin McLean and Greta Woodward. He died in Toronto on 27 Novemb
er 1990, and is buried in the Basilian plot of Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill, Ontario. ‘Ted’ McLean attended Blessed Sacrament Separate School and the high school section of St Michael’s College, Toronto. As captain and defenceman, he led the St Michael’s Junior OHA hockey team to the Memorial Cup in his final year of high school, 1944–5.
After one year of arts at St Michael’s College, he entered St Basil’s Novitiate, Richmond Hill, Ontario, in 1946 and made first profession on 12 September 1947. He was appointed to St Michael’s College to complete his undergraduate studies, majoring in Latin and philosophy (B.A., University of Toronto, 1950).
His first appointment was to teach Latin at St Michael’s College School, relocated in 1950 on Bathurst Street at St Clair Avenue. During his second year there he also attended the Ontario College of Education, earning a Type B teacher certification, 1952. From 1952 to 1956 he studied theology at St Basil’s Seminary, Toronto, being ordained to the priesthood on 29 June 1955 in St Basil’s Church, Toronto, by Bishop Francis Allen.
In 1956 Father McLean returned to St Michael’s College School. In 1957 he was one of the founding fathers of Michael Power High School, Etobicoke. There he taught Latin and history and headed the departments of classics and physical education. During the summers he took graduate courses in Latin at the University of Ottawa.
In 1962 he assumed the office of treasurer at St Basil’s Novitiate, Erindale,
Ontario, and three years later was appointed to St Mary’s College, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. In 1967 he was named superior of the Basilian community at St Charles College, Sudbury, Ontario, a position he held until elected regional representative for Eastern Canada in 1970. He maintained his residence at St Charles and also took on part-time work with the Sudbury Separate School Board as a counsellor.
In 1977 he moved to Michael Power High School and worked as part-time chaplain at St Thomas Aquinas School, Bramalea, Ontario. At the end of his
term as regional representative in 1981 Father McLean was named principal of Father Henry Carr Secondary School and rector of the Basilian Fathers of Rexdale. In 1987 he returned to live with the Basilian community at Michael Power, continuing as chaplain at Father Henry Carr Secondary School. Father McLean’s chief concern as regional representative was the spiritual well-being of his confreres. He once reported to his superiors: ‘What local houses need more than representation ... is someone to visit them regularly to instruct them in spiritual renewal. They need a representative who is informed in matters biblical, theological and spiritual to help them build communities that are more vigorous and better able to cope with the stress in religious life today.’ He himself regularly took courses in theological renewal.
Ted McLean’s fame as an athlete never affected his openness to others, or his enthusiasm and warm humanity. He died in his sixty-fifth year after being struck by a car as he was taking his daily exercise of jogging.
bibliography: ‘Spiritual Reading: Recommendations,’ Benedicamus 1 (May
1948) 6; ‘Requirements of a Good Defenceman,’ Basilian Teacher 4 (December
1959) 83; ‘The Discussion Period Should Be Optional [response to Father Robert Madden, ‘Student Retreats’],’ Basilian Forum 2 (December 1965) 168–9;
‘Prayer,’ Aspects of Basilian Spirituality (1972) 33–8.
sources: GABF; Annals 2 (1955) 199, 7 (1991) 151–3; Newsletter 22 (30 December
1990).
Rev MAURICE PIERCE C.S.B
25-Aug-1930 - 27-Aug-2013
Published by Windsor Star from
1973
Aug. 28 to Aug. 29, 2013.
1139 Ouellette Avenue,
519-253-5225
on Thursday, August 29, 2013 from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. Parish Prayers at 7:30 p.m. Fr. Pierce will rest at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, 350 Huron Church Rd, on Friday, August 30, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Heavenly Rest Cemetery. If you desire, donations to the Hospice of Windsor or Marie Rose Place would be greatly appreciated. Online condolences may be left at
www.janissefuneralhome.ca
Rev. James Edward Rent, C.S.B.
25 May, 1936 – 2 March, 2013
1968
Rent, C.S.B., Rev. James E. died peacefully in his room at the Basilian retirement home, Anglin House. He had a long and courageous battle with lymphatic cancer. He was born in Halifax, N.S. on May 25, 1936, the son of William Rent and Bertha Donnelly. He was professed in the Congregation of St. Basil on August 15, 1954. After studies at the University of St. Michael’s College, he was ordained a priest in the Congregation on December 11, 1965. Part of his theological studies was done in Paris, France. He taught in schools for a brief period and then began his most loved assignments in parish ministry. He served as Pastor in Ottawa, ON (St. Basil’s Church), Houston, TX (Ste Anne’s Church), Sault Ste Marie, ON (St. Veronica and St. Gerard Magellan Churches) and Halifax, N.S. (St. Rose of Lima). After retiring from parish ministry, he attended George Brown College and received a certificate in archival management. He became the Director of the Basilian Archives until the time of his death. For many years he was the devoted chaplain of the Focolare Movement. He is predeceased by his parents and his brother William. He is survived by many loving cousins and friends. There will be visitation on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 from 2 p.m. with a Wake Service at 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel of the Cardinal Flahiff Basilian Centre, 95 St. Joseph Street, Toronto. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 10 a.m. in the same chapel. Burial will be at the Basilian plot at Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill, ON. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made the Basilian Fathers Retirement Fund, 95 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3C2
Tim Scott
1978
Rev J T Walsh CSB
1968
ZORZI, Rev. Daniel J., C.S.B.
(1960-2009)
Posted
(1960-2009) – Peacefully, Friday, January 16, 2009 at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, surrounded by his family and friend, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer, our son, brother and uncle passed from this life to rest forever in the Eternal Life that he preached, taught and devoted his life to here on earth as a Roman Catholic Priest in the Congregation of St. Basil.
Dan will remain forever the cherished son of Ernest and Marlene Zorzi (nee Wierzbicki). Dan will forever be missed by his Brother Chris, wife Sandra, Sister Kelly Boudreau, and husband Vince, all of Sault Ste. Marie. Brother Paul, wife Lisa of Milton, Ontario. His niece and nephews Jordache Boudreau, Matthew Zorzi, Cody Zorzi, Keegan Boudreau all of Sault Ste. Marie and Athena and Nicholas Zorzi of Milton, Ontario will forever miss their Very Special Uncle Dan. Dan is also survived by his aunt Sister Norma Zorzi, CSJ, and his uncle Rino Zorzi both of Sault Ste. Marie. Dan was predeceased by his grandparents, Ines and Ferdinando Zorzi and Violet and Alex Wierzbicki. Dan will be remembered by his many aunts, uncles and cousins. He will be missed by his close friend Matthew Durham, a Basilian Seminarian, the many Basilian and Diocesan Bishops and Priests that he worked with and lived with over the years, he will also be missed by the many friends that he made during his life in Sault Ste. Marie and during his tenures in Windsor, London, Toronto and throughout the world.
During his 48 years with us, Dan accomplished many things. He is a graduate of St. Veronica Separate School and St. Mary's College, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Fr. Dan earned his B.A. (Honours Psychology) from McMaster University, Hamilton, ON in 1983. He taught high school at St. Charles College, Sudbury for one year before entering the Novitiate of the Congregation of St. Basil in Sugar Land, TX in 1985, and professed vows on August 10, 1986. He was appointed to St. Basil's Seminary in Toronto and earned the M.Div. from the Faculty of Theology, University of St. Michael's College (USMC) in 1989. He was ordained to the priesthood by Rev. Bishop Pappin at Precious Blood Cathedral in Sault Ste. Marie on December 2, 1989 and then served as Priest-Chaplain at St. Thomas More College, Saskatoon, SK from 1989 to 1991. He pursued graduate studies in Canon Law and was awarded the J.C.D. and the Ph.D. by St. Paul University and the University of Ottawa in 1995. From 1995-2000 Fr. Zorzi was Pastor of Assumption Church, Windsor, ON and lectured in Canon Law at Assumption University 1995-1996. Fr. Dan served as President of St. Michael’s College School, Toronto, ON, from 2000 – 2005. His time at St. Mike’s will remain forever as a very “special” time for Fr. Dan and for those that he worked with and touched in so many ways. He also served as President of the St. Michael’s Majors of the Ontario Hockey League and will always remain as their most loyal fan. From 2005-2008 Fr. Zorzi served the Diocese of London, ON in the Office of Canonical Services, Marriage Tribunal, and was also Associate Pastor of St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica in London. He moved to Toronto in the summer of 2008 and began teaching in the Pastoral Department of the Faculty of Theology, USMC while continuing his work with the Marriage Tribunal.
Throughout his battle with cancer one thing that we all took note of was that he never once complained. With all of the treatments and setbacks, the highs and lows that this disease brings to an individual he battled on with a courage and strength that is indescribable. We are so proud of him; he is a model for us all.
Dan always held his family as a main focus in his life and whenever possible wanted us to be together. He often arranged occasions where we could all be together for vacations or dinners, to celebrate Christmas and Easter and family events.
During his final weeks Dan was blessed to be placed in the Palliative Care Unit at Princess Margaret Hospital, the care and attention that he received was second to none. The kindness, compassion, dedication and attention to not only Dan’s needs but also those of our family will always be remembered. We thank each and every one of the Nursing Staff. We extend a special thanks to Dr. Dori Seccareccia, and Dr. Bryson for making Dan’s final days pain free and comfortable and for treating him with dignity and compassion. May God Bless you all, you are very special people. We cannot express enough our thanks to Dan’s friend, colleague and caregiver Matthew Durham for being constantly by his side through the good times and the bad over the past 20 months. To his special lifelong friend Mary Lou Kairiss for her help and support, we thank you.
Dan lost his battle with cancer but won his war. He lives forever in Paradise with His Jesus.
Fr. Dan will be at rest at Precious Blood Cathedral 778 Queen St. E, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 from 6:00pm until 10:00pm. A Celebration of Dan’s Life and the Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Precious Blood Cathedral on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 11:00am. Dan will be interned in Holy Sepulcher Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Algoma Residential Community Hospice – Sault Ste. Marie, ON or for renovations to the Fr. Dan Zorzi Memorial Hall at St.Veronica Parish.
(Arrangements entrusted to O’Sullivan Donnelly Funeral Home ..759-8456)
View an SMC Alumni profile of Father Dan ... https://stmaryscollege.ca/rev-dan-zorzi/