Words of Remembrance for Brother Kevin Dalmasse, FSC
Given by Brother Michael Andrejko, FSC
Mass of Christian Burial
October 10, 2020
Saint Paul Cathedral
Pittsburgh, PA
Joanne, Rob, Kerry, Ed, Tom, Michael, and so many nieces and nephews and grand nephews, the Brothers extend to you our deepest and heartfelt sympathy as you go through this most difficult time. In particular, we also remember those from the immediate family who predeceased Kevin, his beloved Father, John, his
loving sisters, Kristin and Kathleen. Be assured they are having one grandiose party right now in heaven and a laugh on us!
Kevin Michael Dalmasse spent the days of his early youth in the East End section of Pittsburgh as a student at St. James Elementary School and as an Alter boy and lector at St. James Church in Wilkinsburg. Later at his beloved Central Catholic, Kevin excelled in academics and forensics which began a life-long love affair with the Brothers of the Christian Schools, teaching, learning, and of course, forensics. Kevin went on to continue his higher education as an undergrad at La Salle University in Philadelphia and did his graduate school work at Georgetown
University in the District of Columbia where he earned a Master’s Degree in Foreign Service. In a nutshell, he was no dummy. As a matter of fact, on the
occasion of being in his classroom just a little over a week ago, when talking to Kevin’s students about religious vocations, there was a moment to point out that Kevin is much smarter than I am; it certainly got a chuckle out of him. We Brothers, like all other human beings, come in so many different shapes and sizes and like to think that we often complement one another’s gifts.
But rather than focus on Kevin’s many accomplishments over the years, and there were many, many that I could expound upon, let’s focus on the hymn we sang at the Offertory: softly, tenderly. Those lyrics we just heard so eloquently sung, a song that Kevin particularly chose for his funeral. Softly, tenderly, Jesus is calling. . .Come home, come home, you who are weary come home . . .
For all of us who lived, worked, and journeyed with Kevin as Brother, family member, student, alumnus, colleague, and debater: we all had the experience of when in his presence, the feeling of true friendship. Someone who would listen and give us plain advice, tenderly, softly. Someone, who no matter how bad we felt about ourselves at any given moment always found something good to share. Something to let God’s Grace come in and take hold of our heart.
Over the years, so many students have come back to rekindle their friendship and get sound advice from someone who allows them to be just who they are at their core. It is evidenced by so many people that are here today in person, and the many who have joined us remotely from here in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan area as well as so far away. Your presence today speaks volumes. What we all have now is the grace, the tools, to be Jesus to each other in celebration of Kevin’s life here on earth and his life now in the eschatological, Pasacal, mystery.
Can you ever remember a time when Brother Kevin complained or felt sorry for himself? I know I can’t. But, he took his own suffering and human brokenness to help us in ours. Now it is our job to do that for each other. That is not only Kevin’s legacy for us, but more importantly his gift of self to us.
So, today we have the occasion to pause and say, thank you Brother Kevin for your active and selfless presence to those whom you served over the sixty-one years of your life; thirty-seven of those years as a Brother of the Christian Schools.
Thank you for your wisdom, wit, positive attitude, prayerfulness, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. Most of all thank you for your authentic and genuine friendship. Rest softly and tenderly, my friend, you are truly in the loving presence of our Creator, at last.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Brother Kevin Dalmasse, FSC
1959 – 2020
Born Kevin Michael Dalmasse in Pittsburgh PA on 26 August 1959
Received the Religious Habit at La Salle University in Philadelphia PA on 24 September 1983
Entered the Novitiate in Skaneateles NY on 8 August 1987
Pronounced Perpetual Vows in Valley Forge PA on 19 June 1993
Died at Central Catholic High School on 6 October 2020
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Friday, 9 October 2020
Viewing – 4.00pm to 7.00pm
Central Catholic High School
McGonigle Theater
4720 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15213
Saturday, 10 October 2020
Mass of Christian Burial – 10.00am
Saint Paul Cathedral
108 North Dithridge Street
Pittsburgh PA 15213
private interment following
Good Shepherd Cemetery
733 Patton Street
Monroeville PA 15146
Brother Kevin died suddenly on Tuesday, October 6th.
The District of Eastern North America remembers Brother Kevin with memorial liturgies according to the tradition of the Institute.
Through their prayers, communities and individuals entrust Brother Kevin to God’s loving care.
May he rest in peace.
Brother Kevin requested that donations in his memory be made to Central Catholic High School, La Salle Academy-Philadelphia, or La Salle College High School.
ASSIGNMENTS
1983–1985
Philadelphia PA
Jeremy House: scholasticate
1985–1987
Cumberland MD
Bishop Walsh High School
1987–1988
Skaneateles NY
Novitiate
1988–1990
Cumberland MD
Bishop Walsh High School
1990–1993
Audubon PA
District Administration: Vocation Director
1993–1995
Wyndmoor PA
La Salle College High School
1995–1997
Cumberland MD
Bishop Walsh School
1997–1998
Wyndmoor PA
La Salle College High School
1998–2003
Adamstown MD
District Administration: Auxiliary Visitor
2003–2010
Washington DC
Christian Brothers Conference: Dir. of Education
2010–2020
Pittsburgh PA
Central Catholic High School