1936-2014
WORDS OF REMEMBRANCE FOR BROTHER AMIAN PAUL GOODWIN, FSC
Given by Brother Michael McKenery, FSC
May 10, 2014
Mass of Christian Burial
St. Pius V Church, Providence, RI
Brother – Teacher – Coach – Administrator – Friend
“To touch the hearts of your students is the greatest miracle you can perform.”
(Saint John Baptist de La Salle)
Brother Paul was one of my closest and dearest friends for forty five years. It is difficult to say that without pausing and wondering where all these many years have gone. Yes, they are gone but not forgotten, because they are/were indeed the years of our lives. Today, as all of us present here were such an important part of Paul’s life, we have the opportunity to share our sorrow together. However in the finest of Irish traditions, I am convinced that Brother Paul would want us to be raising a glass or two in celebration of a life well lived in faithfulness to his vows as a Brother of the Christian Schools and in service to his Church, and perhaps most especially, for his extraordinary devotion and love for the young men and women entrusted to his care. His students at La Salle Military Academy affectionately called him “tough guy” – he loved it, perhaps reveled in it, although nothing could have been further from the truth. He wanted the best from each of his students and accepted nothing less.
Brother Paul was one of the most well read men I have ever known. You could be looking for a quote from the Old or New Testament and he would tell you where to find it, not generally speaking, but by book, line, and verse, and always with incredible accuracy and detail. That special gift carried into the classroom where students sat in awe and even applauded from time to time. We all have heroes in our lives – Brother Paul was one of mine. He and I worked together for a time as the Prefects of the Company A dormitory at La Salle Military Academy.
One morning at the beginning of a new semester at La Salle Academy, I stopped by the door of his classroom where he was welcoming a new group of students. I noted a student with his head down on the desk and not paying attention. I thought to myself, “this is not going to go very well.” Finally Paul called the student’s name. The student replied, “Yo!” My heart skipped several beats. The student’s name was John and when Brother Paul asked how he would like to be referred to in class – he responded “Sleepy.” Again, I thought to myself, “this is not going to go very well.” However, without skipping a beat, Paul responded: “Sleepy it is.” “Tell me Sleepy, will any of your six other little friends be joining you?” At which point John responded, “Brother, you may call me John.”
During the course of the year, numerous fire drills are required for the safety and well being in the building assuring that students and faculty know clearly where they are going in case of fire or other emergencies. Brother Paul used these drills as teaching moments. At the close of the drill he and his class remained behind. They visited the Grotto and prayed, and at times held the rest of their class there. He was truly a great teacher. Wherever he was, he found a teaching moment with his students. Even a walk around the property was both memorable and life-giving. For me it was always a pleasure and a life learning moment to see him in action. We had a truly wonderful friendship for close to 45 years and that friendship and trust in each other only became stronger over time.
The last time I spoke with him face-to-face was at Roger Williams Hospital just before he was moved to De La Salle Hall. I was at the hospital for pre-op tests prior to back surgery and learned that Paul was taken to the hospital earlier that day. He was asleep and I sat quietly with him. We spoke briefly as a doctor and nurses came in and out of the room addressing his needs and pain. As I left I squeezed his hand and leaned over and kissed his forehead as he tightened his grip on my hand. We had several phone conversations while he was at De La Salle Hall. One of those calls was after my back surgery and he was calling to find out how the surgery went and how I was doing. That was humbling indeed for me. Yet that simple act of kindness and concern was so indicative of my friend and my Brother Paul.
We are all here today because this great and wonderful man touched our lives. The gift to you young men and women of La Salle Academy was an extraordinary teacher and mentor who guided you to where you needed to be, even when you did not realize where you needed to be.
May I conclude with these words that Bryan Maguire of the class of 1967 shared with me. “Brother Paul continued to teach right to the very end. He taught us how to live, and he taught us how to die. He took on dying with grace, courage, dignity, and an unbreakable faith in God. When the Banshee came looking for Brother Paul, Paul did not flinch – he tackled him and held him down – until it was time for Paul to go.”
Perhaps we might consider remembering Brother Paul Goodwin in the words of an old Irish pub-closing song:
“Of all the good times that e’er we shared, I leave to you fond memory,
And for all the friendship that e’er we had I ask you to remember me,
And when you sit and stories tell, I’ll be with you and help recall;
So fill to me the parting glass, God Bless, and joy be with you all.”
We celebrate your life this day, my dear Friend. I am sure that there is great rejoicing in heaven as you join Saint John Baptist de La Salle and all our Sainted Brothers in coming face-to-face with God you so loved and served so faithfully all your life.
Saint John Baptist de La Salle . . . Pray for us.
Live Jesus in our Hearts . . . Forever!
Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Br. Amian Paul Goodwin, FSC
Born Donald Gerard Goodwin in New York, NY, on July 3, 1936
Entered the Barrytown, NY, Novitiate on February 14, 1954
Received the Religious Habit and Name, Brother Amian Paul, on May 14, 1954
Pronounced Perpetual Vows in Barrytown, NY, on August 6, 1961
Br. Amian Paul died at De La Salle Hall, Lincroft, NJ, on May 4, 2014
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Viewing from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
De La Salle Hall
810 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738-1608
Friday, May 9, 2014
Viewing from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
La Salle Academy Brothers’ Chapel
612 Academy Avenue
Providence, RI 02908-2796
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am
St. Pius V Roman Catholic Church
55 Elmhurst Avenue
Providence, RI 02908-2803
Burial in Brothers’ cemetery, Christian Brothers Center, Narragansett, RI, at approximately 12:00 pm (noon)
Lunch following
SUFFRAGES FOR OUR DECEASED BROTHER AMIAN PAUL
District: 50 masses
La Salle Academy community: 30 masses
Each community in the District: 1 mass
Brother Amian Paul passed away quietly and peacefully in the early morning hours. His brother, James, was present with him at the time of death. May he rest in peace.
Assignments
1959-1965
teacher
Providence, RI
La Salle Academy
1964-1964
supervised student Brothers
Brownsville, NY
Summer in the City
1965-1966
teacher
Queens, NY
Mater Christi High School
1967-1967
vice principal, boys’ department
Queens, NY
Mater Christi High School
1967-1970
principal, boys’ department
Queens, NY
Mater Christi High School
1970-1971
vice president for education
Oakdale, NY
Christian Brothers
1971-1972
teacher
Oakdale, NY
La Salle Military Academy
1972-1974
principal/executive vice president
Oakdale, NY
La Salle Military Academy
1974-1975
principal
Brooklyn, NY
Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School
1975-1993
teacher/prefect/academic dean
Oakdale, NY
La Salle Military Academy
1993-1995
teacher/head of lower school
Oakdale, NY
La Salle Center
1995-2014
teacher
Providence, RI
La Salle Academy
2014-2014
resident
Lincroft, NJ
De La Salle Hall