Eulogy given by
Br. Matthew Moloney, FSC
Brother Anthony Lamb was born in Scotland and immigrated to New York City. He was proud to be born in Scotland, proud to be an American, and to be a Christian Brother.
He was a tall, slim, bony boy when he entered his sophomore year at Barrytown, New York. I began to appreciate his size in football and in basketball when I played against him. His interest in sports was later carried over into coaching, particularly, in Track.
However, his interest in drama, music, and the arts developed in college. He developed a great reputation for his essays and paintings. He grew into a well rounded teacher in both elementary and high school teaching, especially in his beloved writing and literature.
His assignments in Newburgh, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Detroit, Syracuse, Paramus, Providence, and lastly, CBA, Lincroft, show the variety of his experience. He made friends wherever he taught. I considered him my friend as a person and fellow Christian Brother. Brother Michael Fitzgibbon says much better than I, and I quote: “I hesitate to call Tony a special friend of mine. Those of you who knew him well understand that Tony made all of his friends feel special. Tony was an extremely talented man, a sincerely remarkable religious, a top notch teacher, and an outstanding athlete. He was gentle in speech and had a wonderful sense of humor. Yes, I’d say he was one of the princes among us. Let us thank the Lord for lending us Tony.”
Brother Jim Perry writes, “Tony loved to paint landscapes. His pictures brightened many places. He had a great love for Muriel Rogers, his art teacher, who visited him in his final days of suffering.” Brother Jim later added, “Tony suffered from ulcers and in the early 40’s, at De La Salle College, he had his first operation, followed by many more through the years. His life was one of suffering. I always regarded him as a wonderful friend.”
Brother Joe Radice reminds us that as Vice-President of the Resident Council, “Tony left no stone unturned when it came to friendship. He was a sensitive man who tried to be very thorough in his relationships.”
Carrol Roberts sums him up with a poem from John Grey’s Daily Creed. Here is one stanza.
Let me be a little meeker
With the brother who is weaker;
Let me strive a little harder
To be all that I should be.
Denise Robertson wrote, “Tony was kind, creative, a fierce defender of women’s rights, very intelligent, humorous, and thoughtful beyond words.” (Happily she didn’t remember Tony’s desire to strangle her pet bird!)
Tony was a big man: physically, intellectually, and spiritually. His actions and the witness of his friends prove it. He is my friend, and I will miss him.
Brother Malcolm O’Sullivan writes, ” … very simple and humble in the face of his many talents, among them, a quiet sense of humor, an across-the-board athlete coupled with a keen intelligence, capable of spontaneously quoting poets and novelists because of his wide understanding of both, a sensitivity to God’s creation, both human and floral, so that his paintings exuded a riot of colorful landscapes.
Friday night poker games were the occasion of his flair for puns and teasing, especially with his slowness to reveal his measly two pair.
A galloping football athlete, I recall one play in which as half-back, he tore through the line (even when he preferred to play end with his huge, clutching hands), crushed everybody in sight, including me. In an after game discussion, one of his victims asked where he got his propelling force. He simply, jocosely answered, “You’re lucky! I used only half of my power!”
A gentleman sans pareille, he bore within himself a rock-like faith, entrusting himself even in these latter days, when he uttered, “What
Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of
Br. Anthony Lamb, FSC
Born Francis James Lamb in Dundee, SCOTLAND on December 25, 1921
Entered the Barrytown Juniorate on July 31, 1937, and Novitiate on June 1, 1940
Received the Religious Habit and Name, Brother Claudius Anthony on September 7, 1940
Pronounced Perpetual Vows in Oakdale, Long Island, in 1946.
Brother Anthony died at De La Salle Hall in Lincroft, NJ, on June 22, 2010
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Viewing from 2:00 – 4:00 pm and 6:00 – 8:00 pm
De La Salle Hall
810 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738-1608
Friday, June 25, 2010
Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am
De La Salle Hall
810 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738-1608
Burial at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery, Marlboro, NJ
SUFFRAGES FOR OUR DECEASED BROTHER ANTHONY
District: 100 masses
De La Salle Hall community: 30 masses
Each community in the District: 1 mass
Brother Anthony passed away quietly and peacefully in his room at De La Salle Hall after several days in hospice care. May he rest in peace.
Tour of Duty
1945-1947
Teacher
Newburgh, NY
St. Patrick’s
1947-1949
Teacher
Brooklyn, NY
St. Cecilia’s
1949-1950
Teacher
Brooklyn, NY
Bishop Loughlin Memorial H S
1950-1951
Teacher
Providence, RI
La Salle Academy
1951-1954
Teacher
New York City, NY
De La Salle Institute
1954-1960
Teacher
New York City, NY
La Salle Academy
1960-1962
Teacher
New York City, NY
Manhattan Prep
1962-1964
Teacher
Detroit, MI
St. Joseph’s H S
1964-1977
Teacher
Syracuse, NY
Christian Brothers Academy
1977-1995
Teacher
Paramus, NJ
Paramus Catholic H S
1995-2004
retired
Lincroft, NJ
Christian Brothers Academy
2004-2010
retired
Lincroft, NJ
De La Salle Hall
May the soul of Brother Anthony, and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace.
ever God wants … ”