1935-2014
Words of Remembrance for Brother Edward McKenery, FSC
Given by Brother Michael McKenery, FSC
October 17, 2014
Mass of Christian Burial
Blessed Sacrament Church, Providence, RI
Let us remember we are in the Holy Presence of God.
When my brother Ed was in good health, he was very happy to be a member of the Brothers’ Community at La Salle Academy. Both Veronica and I are grateful to Brother Robert Hazard and to the community of Brothers here at La Salle Academy for their many acts of kindness and hospitality during this difficult time for our family. We are especially grateful to Brother Bud Knight, Brother John McMahon, along with the nurses and staff at De La Salle Hall, for the extraordinary and loving care that he received during his brief time with them.
Edward Joseph McKenery, son of James and Fermina McKenery was born on November 6, 1935, and was known to all of us present today as Brother Edward McKenery, FSC. Yet, as I think back to our younger days growing up, he was just my big brother, Eddie. Truly these past few days have brought me back to when I was a youngster. After days of reflection and memories, perhaps the most treasured memory for Veronica and me was, and always will be, that he was simply that, our big brother Eddie.
We grew up at 52 Enfield Avenue, right up the street from La Salle Academy, and next door to our Uncle Ernest and Aunt Linda, and our cousins Louis, Christine, and Carolyn Silvio. Along with the Zavota and Uva families, we were all part of a family enclave of sorts. Needless to say, someone was always watching us as well as watching out for us. Sometimes we loved that fact, but as we got older and perhaps a bit more independent, not so much.
Allow me to share one story from our days of growing up that indicates that, like any brothers, we did not always get along in our teen years. Basically those were the days that he did not want me around. But as I got more independent, we became more than just brothers, we were friends. I actually sought his advice and wisdom from time to time. The greatest tension was that we shared a room together. His side of the room was mostly neat and orderly. Allow me to point out honestly that my side of the room did not meet his standards. One morning I heard him telling my mother that he wanted me evicted from the room since I had the radio going all the time, and that my side of the room was mostly a mess, and that, most troubling to him, was the fact that I slept with my socks on. I won that battle, but I did try from that point on, not to annoy him, so he and I got along much better. However, I may have kept my socks on just to annoy him from time to time!
Brother Edward joined the Brothers twice. In 1954 he received the habit of The Brothers of the Christian Schools at Saint Joseph’s Novitiate in Barrytown, New York. His name in religion was Brother Angelus Raphael, FSC. Brother Paul Goodwin of happy memory always called him Ange or Angie. Some of his best stories were about the trains going by through the night and the sounds of the trains saying to him, “You gotta go home, you gotta go home.” And, home he came. After his military service (USAF), he graduated from the Pawtucket Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and began his years of service at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence. His years there were truly special to him. He was highly regarded by the nurses, the staff, and the doctors at the hospital.
He answered the call to religious life once again. He completed his novitiate at a later time in life, perhaps a little wiser. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Services Administration from
Saint Joseph’s College and a Masters Degree in Human Development form Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. The Brothers did not always truly understand that he was a fully accredited and highly educated nursing professional. At a school ministry of the then Long Island-New England District, the chief administrator once told him just to sit in the Nurse’s office until one of the professionals from VNS arrived. Needless to say, that was the day he realized that his credentials and professional nursing background could be better utilized elsewhere. Hence followed years of wonderful ministry at La Salle Military Academy where he was revered and loved by the Cadets there, many of whom have called me to share how much they loved and cared about him. Shortly thereafter, he worked with Sister Maureen Kervick, CP, in a special ministry for AIDS patients in the Archdiocese of Boston where, on my visit there, I realized that the patients worshipped the ground he walked on and truly loved him and respected his courageous commitment to them. My big brother Eddie—kind of makes you proud—doesn’t it!
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for of such is the Kingdom of God.” Indeed, that was Eddie’s special ministry here at Blessed Sacrament School. His good friend, Steve Bastow, wrote to me, “Ed found great joy in his ministry at Blessed Sacrament School. He loved tending to the children’s bruised knees and elbows after recess.” My brother was truly more than half Italian since he loved to bring pastries and treats from the La Salle Bakery to the administration and secretaries at Blessed Sacrament School until they asked him to stop since they were gaining weight.
At Brother Edward’s 25th Anniversary as a Brother of the Christian Schools, the following words were spoken both eloquently and lovingly by Father David Gaffney, “Ed, for you, table fellowship is and always has been important—whether that table is this altar or the table in the Brothers’ community dining room.” For my sister, Veronica and me, along with my nephew Joseph and niece Susan and their children, our family dining room waited in anticipation for Uncle Eddie’s grace before meals on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. The prayers and blessings were always masterfully crafted and delivered. Susan usually heckled him afterwards, and frankly, he would have been disappointed had she not done so.
Over the years I have delivered more than my share of eulogies for our deceased Brothers. I have been privileged and honored to do so for my parents, uncles, and aunts. Nothing has been more difficult than today. Many times during my years at La Salle Academy, he would tell me quietly that he was proud of me. It pleased me that he no longer wanted me evicted.
Eddie, we shall miss you at the table, my Brother, but for your family and friends, you will always be at the head of the Edward table. Your words shall indeed live in our hearts forever!
Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Br. Edward McKenery, FSC
Born Edward Joseph McKenery in Providence, RI, on November 6, 1935
Entered the Skaneateles, NY, Novitiate on September 6, 1981
Received the Religious Habit on August 21, 1982
Pronounced Perpetual Vows in Narragansett, RI, on August 15, 1987
Br. Edward died at De La Salle Hall, Lincroft, NJ, on October 11, 2014
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Viewing from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
De La Salle Hall
810 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738-1608
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Viewing from 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
La Salle Academy Brothers’ Chapel
612 Academy Avenue
Providence, RI 02908
Friday, October 17, 2014
Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am
Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church
Corner of Academy Avenue and Regent Avenue
Providence, RI 02908
Burial in Brothers’ cemetery, Christian Brothers Center, Narragansett, RI, at approximately 12:00 pm (noon)
Lunch following
SUFFRAGES FOR OUR DECEASED BROTHER EDWARD
District: 50 masses
De La Salle Hall community: memorial service
Each community in the District: 1 mass
After several days in hospice care, Brother Edward passed away quietly and peacefully during the early morning hours with his sister, Veronica, present. May he rest in peace.
Assignments
1979-1981
teacher
Oakdale, NY
La Salle Military Academy
1981-1982
novitiate
Skaneateles, NY
Roosevelt Hall
1982-1985
teacher
Oakdale, NY
La Salle Military Academy
1985-1987
clinical nurse/student
Winona, MN
St. Mary’s College
1987-1988
admin. asst. to the director
Oakdale, NY
La Salle Military Academy
1988-1989
infirmary/health care
Kingston, RI
University of Rhode Island
1989-1992
health services
Providence, RI
La Salle Academy
1992-1994
assistant to the president
Winona, MN
St. Mary’s University
1994-1996
vice-president/development/alumni
Chicago, IL
De La Salle Institute
1996-1998
director of health services
Napa, CA
Christian Brothers
1998-1999
assistant to the president
Winona, MN
St. Mary’s University
1999-2000
nursing care for elderly
Narragansett, RI
Christian Brothers
2000-2003
nursing care manager
Brighton, MA
Seton Manor
2003-2006
director
Providence, RI
Serenity House
2006-2011
director
Providence, RI
La Salle Academy Community
2011-2014
resident
Providence, RI
La Salle Academy Community
2014-2014
resident
Narragansett, RI
Christian Brothers Center
2014-2014
resident
Lincroft, NJ
De La Salle Hall