An article written by the Albany Times Union newspaper – Scott Waldman, Staff Writer – 5/13/11
Eulogy given by Br. William Spellman, FSC
On behalf of Brother Al’s brother Robert and family, and all the Christian Brothers, I would like to express our gratitude to all of you who are present here this morning. Your presence is a wonderful tribute to Brother Al. Our thanks also to the Brothers and staff at De La Salle Hall, the nursing home in New Jersey where Brother Al spent the last two months. Thanks also to Beth Vandercar, RN, who took such good care of him in this area. Brother also had a doctor in this area for many years who guided him through various illnesses, Dr. Richard Lavigne, one of Brother Al’s former students.
A couple of years ago in our local theaters, there was a film called The Bucket List. It was the story of two men who occupied the same hospital room, both suffering from terminal cancer. They did not know each other and could not have been more different. One was a very rich man whose principles and ideals left much to be desired. The other man was an auto mechanic and a man of deep faith and morals. As they got to know each other, they came to agree on a bucket list, a list of things they would like to do before they died. One man listed skydiving, auto speed racing, and getting a tattoo. The other man’s choices were a visit to the majestic pyramids in Egypt and a climb to the top of the breathtaking Himalaya Mountains. They began a three month jaunt to the various choices. When they reached the pyramids and were enjoying these wonderful structures, the man of deep faith told his companion about an Egyptian legend of a man who had died and was at the gate to Heaven.
Before they would admit him to Heaven, he had to give satisfactory answers to two questions. The first question was, “Have you found joy in your life?” and the second was, “Has your life brought joy to the lives of other people?”
I think this legend and these two questions constitute a very appropriate reflection for Brother Al. He did find joy in his life. During the past sixty-two years, he has lived a very happy life as a Brother. Besides setting a record as the first Brother to spend over fifty years in the same school, these years afforded him the opportunity to grow personally in his fraternity with the Brothers, and in his own spiritual life, following in the footsteps of St. La Salle, our founder, who told us that the spirit of the Brothers should be a spirit of faith and a spirit of zeal. Growth in these two-fold spirits brought him joy and satisfaction. He also grew academically and became known and well-respected as an outstanding college counselor. In these things, he found joy in his life. His brother also mentioned last night that Brother Al was always upbeat as a youngster, no matter what difficulty faced him. This quality was evident to many of us who have known him in more recent years, struggling with different illnesses.
As for the second question in the legend, “Has your life brought joy to the lives of others,” your presence here today is a resounding yes to that question! To all of us: students, parents, Brothers, friends, and co-workers, he has helped us to find joy, success, religious values, and family values. He has become an encourager, an affirmer, a friend. He has always helped those who were in some kind of need, especially the many thousands of students he has guided into colleges over the years. One personal testimony to him these last few days was this comment by a 1950s graduate, “He helped me grow in my faith in God.” I am sure that many of the 2011 students present here would be able to give that same kind of testimony. Each one of us, in fact, could probably utter a similar sentiment.
The other significant wish on the bucket list was a climb to the top of the Himalayas where the man of deep faith had heard that the mountain top gave a sense of a profound silence where one could almost hear the voice of God. We don’t have the silence of a mountain top here to communicate with our God, but we do have the opportunity in this house of God to thank Him for this gift of Brother Al for these past eighty years. I know you join me in that prayer of gratitude.
Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of
Br. Aloysius Myers, FSC
Born John Francis Myers in Manchester, NH, on August 16, 1930
Entered the Barrytown, NY Juniorate on August 30, 1947, and Novitiate on June 28, 1949
Received the Religious Habit and Name, Brother Aloysius Urban, on September 7, 1949
Pronounced Perpetual Vows in Oakdale, NY in 1955.
Brother Aloysius died at Riverview Hospital, Red Bank, NJ on May 12, 2011
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Friday, May 13, 2011
Viewing from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
De La Salle Hall
810 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738-1608
Sunday, May 15, 2011 and
Monday, May 16, 2011
Viewing from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Christian Brothers Academy (Gymnasium)
12 Airline Drive
Albany, NY 12205-1004
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am
Saint Pius X Church
23 Crumitie Road
Loudonville, NY 12211-2048
Burial at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, NY
SUFFRAGES FOR OUR DECEASED BROTHER ALOYSIUS
District: 50 masses
Christian Brothers Academy community: 30 masses
Each community in the District: 1 mass
Brother Aloysius was a temporary resident at De La Salle Hall where he was receiving physical therapy because of difficulty walking. He was admitted to the hospital on May 11, and died peacefully early the next morning. May he rest in peace.
Tour of Duty
1951-1951
Teacher
Troy, NY
Hillside Hall
1951-1952
Teacher
Albany, NY
La Salle School
1952-1957
Teacher
Albany, NY
Christian Brothers Academy
1957-1967
Head, junior high department
Albany, NY
Christian Brothers Academy
1967-1969
Teacher
Albany, NY
Christian Brothers Academy
1969-1974
Teacher
Manchester, NH
Bishop Bradley H S
1974-2011
community director 2001-2011
Albany, NY
Christian Brothers Academy
2011-2011
physical therapy rehabilitation
Lincroft, NJ
De La Salle Hall