In Memoriam: Brothers Ray Berta, Celestine Cormier, Theophane Ke, Thomas Levi, Daniel O'Connor, Adrian O'Sullivan, and Francis Verngren

(Posted November 23, 2004)

One of the ways the Brothers carry on their traditions is by remembering the stories of "those Brothers on whose shoulders we stand." Upon the death of a Brother, a request is sent out for stories and anecdotes of his life, to be published for generations to come. If you would like to participate in memorializing the life of any of the Brothers listed below, send your note to Brother Brendan Kneale, bkneale@dlsi.org (4403 Redwood Road, Napa, CA, 94558). He would like to have appreciative comments and anecdotal material to incorporate in his accounts of these Brothers.

Br. Ray worked for many years in schools of the Chicago (now Midwest) District, teaching in Missouri, Illinois and Michigan. Most of his career in California was lived vividly at Saint Mary's College as professor of Communications.

Br. Celestine started his teaching life at Sacred Heart High in 1934, later became Director of the Juniorate and then founding Principal and Director of La Salle High in Pasadena. His specialty was mechanical drawing, and he was often asked to supervise construction work of schools and Brothers' Residences throughout the West Coast District of the Brothers. Later, he helped with set design and construction for school dramas at De La Salle High in Concord.

Br. Timothy dedicated his life to the ministry of education in service to the Christian Brothers winery from 1935-1989. Known throughout the world as a pioneer in the California wine industry, Br. Timothy's never failed to be the consummate host, kind and attentive to the lives of those with whom he worked and lived.

At age 65, Br. Theophane fled his homeland of Vietnam and eventually settled in 1975 at Saint Mary's College, Moraga. There as a teacher of classical languages faculty for many years and Community sacristan, he served the students and Brothers with his faithful devotion and wisdom. Holding the special place as an elder among other immigrant Vietnamese, he kept regular correspondence with students he had taught in Vietnam.

Br. Thomas was widely known in each of his many posts throughout the District: Vocation Director, Director of several schools and president of the College, as well as successful fundraiser and public relations worker. Ready with a smile and a story, he helped navigate many a student and faculty member through the difficulties of life.

Known in his early teaching career as Brother Bernard, Br. Daniel was preeminently a classroom teacher and coach. His assignments took him to Sacred Heart in San Francisco, Garces in Bakersfield, San Joaquin in Fresno, Christian Brothers in Sacramento, Saint Mary's in Berkeley, La Salle in Pasadena and Justin-Siena in Napa. In his later years, he guided many students in their applications to college.

Br. Adrian was trained as a chemist, but spent much of his teaching career giving business courses. His frequent assignment to the front office in the schools where he taught made him widely known to students. Though quiet and unassuming, involved in the mundane task of everyday school life, his personal attention to individual students made him a beloved Brother.

Br. Francis specialized in teaching middle school students, and was in the classroom for more than sixty years. Most of those years were taught consecutively without his taking time for sabbaticals.