Words of Remembrance for Brother Emery Mollenhauer, FSC
Given by Mitchell Joseph Yanak, Nephew of Brother Emery
De La Salle Chapel
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA
March 19, 2021
I am Mitchell Joseph Yanak, and on behalf of the Santangelo and Yanak family, I want to thank each of you for sharing in the celebration of the life of Brother Emery Mollenhauer.
President Hanycz, faculty, staff, trustees, students, members of the Christian Brothers Community, Brother Jules Knight, and the entire nursing staff at De La Salle Hall, and Brother Richard Kestler, we thank you for the care, love, and attention that Brother Emery received at La Salle and at Lincroft during the past two years.
Take care that your school runs well . . . words spoken by Saint John Baptist de La Salle on February 26, 1709 to Brother Robert. Fast forward to the year 2021, three hundred and twelve years later. As cited in President Hanycz’s letter to the La Salle community and the La Salle News, dated March 15, 2021, there should be no doubt that Brother Emery took these words to heart. As an administrator and teacher, Emery was a key and instrumental leader in guiding the Lasallian Community and managing significant changes and improvements over fifty-two years. He was a leader who always looked after the best interest of students, teachers, and the Lasallian Community. I defer to the two articles printed on March 15, 2021 that highlight the accomplishments of Brother Emery.
Instead, I want to share with you another side of Brother Emery, or Uncle Bud, as the family called him. However, please note that in public, especially at La Salle, we were all schooled early on to be formal and call him Brother Emery. If we slipped and said Uncle Bud, we would be reminded of his proper name. You did not want this to happen. Believe me. I know.
Born to Charles and Mary Mollenhauer on February 16, 1927, Uncle Bud was raised along with his two sisters, Marian and Joan at 5729 Springfield Avenue. He attended Most Blessed Sacrament School where the Immaculate Heart of Mary Nuns began to mold his character. His character was further developed and molded at West Catholic by the Christian Brothers for whom he had great respect. He graduated from West in 1945.
It was during his four years at West that Uncle Bud realized his calling. He was inspired by the teachings and commitment of the Christian Brothers and began his research on the origin of the order and especially Saint John Baptist de La Salle.
Many of you experienced or heard about Brother Emery’s small note book where he jotted down various bits of information. However, did you know he carried his notebook all the time even at family functions? It was a good habit since he had a record of things to do and followed up on every item. We would be sitting at the supper table and my dad would say, “Bud, La Salle is playing Saint Joe’s this week at the Palestra.” He took his notebook and pen out, and two days later dad would say we were going to the game. Musical tickets to La Salle summer theater were also a big treat from Uncle Bud. (My mom’s favorite was Music Man.)
I often wondered how Uncle Bud managed to take his seventeen nieces and nephews on day trips to the shore. He would pack five or six of us in a car, ages five to twelve, and drive to Margate for the day. He must have spent all his savings on us. He was kind, generous, honest, detailed oriented, patient, humble, modest, great communicator and listener. He was an avid reader. He loved to walk, travel, loved Casper’s on Baltimore Avenue, and spending time with both families. He had one vice, Whitman chocolates and was always appreciative when he received a box of samplers.
Personally, his greatest gift was his willingness to listen to our concerns. Uncle Bud was our role model and mentor providing sound advice, direction, support, and guidance. Emphasizing the need for good Christian values and a Lasallian education, he was a teacher to all. As a result, there are eight La Salle alumni and seventeen La Salle Explorers in our family today.
Brother Emery gave ninety-four dedicated years to God, to Christian faith, to family, to La Salle University, and to the Christian Brother Community. Who could ask for more? Imagine over seventy years of continual dedication to teaching and to following in the footsteps of Saint John Baptist de La Salle who said, “Inspire and lead others by encouraging them.” Brother Emery, Uncle Bud, led and inspired many during his life.
In closing, Aunt Joan, I find it comforting to know that Saint John Baptist de La Salle greeted Brother Emery at heaven’s gate on Sunday, March 14, 2021, and was accompanied by John, Charles, Na Na, Pop Pop, Mom and Dad, Joanne, Eileen, Patty, and Bernie. He is at peace and is in great company.
May he rest in peace.
Saint John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts. Forever!
Please Pray for the Repose of the Soul of Brother Emery Mollenhauer, FSC
1927 – 2021
Born Charles Joseph Mollenhauer in Philadelphia PA on 16 February 1927
Entered the Ammendale MD Novitiate on 16 June 1944
Received the Religious Habit and Name Francis Emery on 7 September 1944
Pronounced Perpetual Vows in Ammendale MD on 29 August 1952
Died at De La Salle Hall in Lincroft NJ on 14 March 2021
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Thursday, 18 March 2021
Visitation – 4.00pm to 6.00pm & 7.00pm to 8.00pm
La Salle University – De La Salle Chapel
1900 West Olney Avenue · Philadelphia PA 19141
Friday, 19 March 2021
Mass of Christian Burial – 10.00am
La Salle University – De La Salle Chapel
Due to COVID, seating will be limited and by invitation only to Brothers and family.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed. Click here to access the link.
La Salle University has posted Brother Emery’s obituary. You may read it here.
Saturday, 20 March 2021
Private Interment
De La Salle Cemetery – Beltsville MD
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on a date yet to be determined.
Brother Emery died peacefully on Sunday morning.
The District of Eastern North America remembers Brother Emery with memorial liturgies according to the tradition of the Institute. Through their prayers, communities and individuals entrust Brother Emery to God’s loving care.
May he rest in peace.
ASSIGNMENTS
1945–1949
Washington DC
De La Salle College and The Catholic University of America (scholasticate)
1949–1959
Pittsburgh PA
Central Catholic High School
1959–1960
Rome Italy
Second Novitiate
1960–1991
Philadelphia PA
La Salle College/University
1991–1992
New York NY
Manhattan College and Moraga CA Saint Mary’s College of California (sabbatical)
1992–2015
Philadelphia PA
La Salle University
2015–2020
Philadelphia PA
La Salle University (resident)
2020–2021
Philadelphia PA
Anselm Hall (resident)
2021–2021
Lincroft NJ
De La Salle Hall (resident)
Brother Emery was a wonderful and unique Brother. He was independent of spirit, inquisitive and loving. And always grateful for any kindness. It was a joy and challenge working with him. Surely now he is resting in the loving embrace of his Lord and God whom he so generously served. Emery, enjoy the place in heaven prepared for you from all eternity. Thank you for who you were a committed servant of the Lord.
Brothers Emery and Fidelian were my mentors and role models. I cannot imagine the development of my appreciation and love of literature without their influence.
Brother Emery was an important. mentor to me. He appointed me co-editor of the 1959 Towers yearbook at Central Catholic in Pittsburgh, PA. In this capacity I joined him at a yearbook conference at Villanova University and ultimately graduated from that institution in 1993. This trip opened my eyes and ideas to a larger world.
God rest his soul.