Brother Raphael Philip Thez, FSC, died on October 12, 2009 at Mont La Salle, Napa, after a brief illness. He was 73 years old. At the time of his death, Br. Philip was a member of the Brothers’ Community of De La Salle High School in Concord, California.

Born John Pierre Thez, on April 23, 1936, in San Francisco, he attended Mt. Diablo High School in Concord, California. He entered the De La Salle Christian Brothers’ Novitiate in February 1955 and received the Brothers’ habit in August of that year. After earning his B.A. degree from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, he continued his studies, earning his M.A. in theology from St. Louis University in 1974.

His teaching and administrative assignments included tours at San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno, Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, Sacred Heart High School (now Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory) in San Francisco, Justin-Siena High School in Napa, St. Mary’s College High School in Berkeley, and La Salle High School in Yakima, Washington. Additionally, he served at the Novitiate at Mont La Salle as Director of Postulants and at the Holy Family Retirement Community as Director. For several years he ministered to the Catholic community in Monte Rio at the Russian River, assisting in parish religious education while he served as Director of St. Joseph’s Camp and the Benilde Community.

Brother Philip’s most recent assignment was in 2006 – 2008 as interim principal of San Joaquin Memorial High School, his fourth tour there. He was deeply attached to the students, staff and alumni of the Fresno school and always spoke of them with affection.

Brother Philip is buried at the Brothers’ Cemetery at Mont La Salle.