Words of Remembrance for Brother Philip Zeller, FSC
Given by Brother Robert Ferguson, FSC
Mass of Christian Burial
Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers
Manhattan College
June 5, 2021
Brother Philip James Zeller and I met at Bishop Loughlin High School in 1963 in a French class taught by a French missionary Brother who hated Americans, and even more so, American high school students. Philip and I entered Christian Brothers Novitiate in late June, 1964 to begin our journey together as Brothers of the Christian Schools. Therefore, for 57 years I have teased and tormented Phil Zeller.
Phil is the kindest and sweetest human being I have ever known. Since he said “yes” to God’s invitation decades ago, he has always responded positively to the needs of others. As teacher, vocation director, parish religious coordinator, computer expert and confrere, he has been a true servant of others. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone approached Phil in the dining room with a computer or telephone problem. When you live with 20 other men who sometimes lack technological expertise, there are so many questions. It’s hard to say no—even if it means interrupting your meal. I used to chide Phil to make the boundaries clear to all the supplicants, but his personal generosity always prevailed. Often he’d rush his meal to get upstairs to the computer room to fix the printer, replace the paper , or with his technical wizardry cajole a balky machine to re-start. Very thankless service never denied.
Philip earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics and a Masters in Science Education. He had the mind and movement of a scientist. In this respect, we were the odd couple. Ask Phil for directions from the Bronx to Queens, and you might receive 8 possible routes. He liked to find new ways to get to places. With computers, he learned to shorten his explanations to us: just get to the point, Phil. More than once, his patience outlasted ours by hours. I confess that I liked to leave the machine in his room and come back later. He never said no.
Phil was a wonderful teacher. Although he taught a challenging subject, he never lost sight of his students. I never heard him complain about the kids. I have to confess that I thought he was very creative in his efforts to reach students. It almost made me want to learn science. And importantly, he stayed with the teaching profession for a long time; I liked to remind him that many Physics teachers fell by the wayside along the way.
Phil was frail for as long as I knew him. Physical issues dogged him all throughout his life. I know he was hurt by suggestions that his pains were less than real; he suffered a great deal with health issues in his later years. Like his mother, illness often prevented him from a full and active life. However, he always rebounded and got back into action.
I have to admit that a trip to a restaurant with Phil could be challenging. The unfortunate waiter would be grilled more than the upcoming chicken. “ What kind of shortening do you use? Bread crumbs? How many and what spices? Any MSG or gluten?” And then, at the end of the meal, he’d get chocolate cake with a scoop of ice cream! I used to tease him about some of the gluten free cookies and muffins he’d bring home. Have you ever tasted one of them? They always went well with Moose Tracks ice cream.
Though I liked to remind Phil that he was very German in his approach style to driving, fixing computers or solving problems, he was a very Renaissance man in other ways. He liked art, architecture, classical music, photography. He’d often suggest documentaries in these fields for us to watch; I didn’t have the heart to tell him that such shows often lost out to Mets broadcasts for me.
I remember what a great companion Philip was to his father in Pop’s later years. He was a dutiful son. And he was very proud of how his niece Michele had taken control of her life. His heart ached for his sister Pat in her struggles in recent years.
We Brothers and friends are so proud of all that Philip accomplished during his 50+ years as a Christian Brother. Please allow me to speak directly to Phil now on matters of the heart.
Phil, in the past few weeks at CBC we have been saddened by your physical decline. To me it seemed like we all had heart ache; we worried about you, your pain and the medical confusion which seemed to hover over you. We missed you! True, we held our breath that something might go wrong with our computers or phones while you were away. But beyond that, we just missed you. Who you are and what you do have touched us at our deepest level, in our hearts. I have felt the ache these past few weeks, and I know it will intensify more for each of us. In that pain we are reminded that for 74 years you remained attached to us deeply and more truly than we can imagine. As you continue your journey with a loving God in a pain-free kingdom, you leave your mourning Lasallian family behind. We cherish you in our hearts. In our hearts where God dwells to comfort and encourage us on our journey, your soul is at rest to accompany us through any darkness or gloom. Tenderly, as St. La Salle instructed us to regard our students, you have found a forever home within us. Thank you, Phil.
Live Jesus in our hearts! Forever
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Brother Philip Zeller, FSC
1946 – 2021
Born Philip James Zeller in Brooklyn NY on 18 August 1946
Entered the Narragansett RI Novitiate on 27 June 1964
Received the Religious Habit and Name Philip James on 1 September 1964
Pronounced Perpetual Vows in Uncasville CT on 31 May 1972
Died at New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York NY on 2 June 2021
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Friday, 4 June 2021
Visitation – 2.00pm to 4.00pm & 6.00pm to 8.00pm
Manhattan College
Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers
4513 Manhattan College Parkway
Riverdale NY 10471
COVID Safety Information for Brother Philip Zeller’s Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial are listed at the bottom of this notice.
Saturday, 5 June 2021
Mass of Christian Burial – 10.00am
Manhattan College
Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers
4513 Manhattan College Parkway
Riverdale NY 10471
Interment following
Gate of Heaven Cemetery
10 West Stevens Avenue
Hawthorne NY 10532
Brother Philip died peacefully Wednesday morning after a brief respite in the hospital.
The District of Eastern North America remembers Brother Philip with memorial liturgies according to the tradition of the Institute. Through their prayers, communities and individuals entrust Brother Philip to God’s loving care.
May he rest in peace.
COVID regulations for the Manhattan College campus:
1. Masks must be worn on campus.
2. Capacity in the Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers is limited and seating is guided by social distancing as indicted by stickers on the pews.
3. On the day you come to the campus for the Visitation and/or the Mass of Christian Burial, all visitors must complete the Visitors Daily Symptom Tracker at this URL: https://tinyurl.com/PhilipFSC. Indicate on the 3rd page that you are visiting the “Office of Mission.” Should you have difficulty navigating this Daily Symptom Tracker, staff will provide assistance at the entrance of the Chapel. (People with Manhattan College email addresses are to use the regular employee Daily Symptom Tracker).
4. At the entrance to the Chapel, all persons must show the “Green Pass” (printed or on your phone) that is generated by the Daily Symptom Tracker and sent to your email.
ASSIGNMENTS
1965–1969
Washington DC
The Catholic University of America (scholasticate)
1969–1974
Uncasville CT
Saint Bernard High School
1974–1979
Narragansett RI
District Administration (Director of Formation)
1979–1980
Brooklyn NY
Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School
1980–1980
Santa Fe NM
Sangre de Cristo Retreat Center (renewal – 1st semester)
1980–1984
Brooklyn NY
Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School
1984–1998
Brooklyn NY
Saint Cecilia Roman Catholic Church (Director of Religious Education)
1998–2011
Brooklyn NY
Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School
2011–2016
Riverdale NY
Manhattan College
2016–2021
Riverdale NY
Manhattan College (resident)
A lasallian giant has fallen. Praised be the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ! As a member of the Class of 1964 (Barrytown-Narragansett), I am honored to remember Phil as one of the most dedicated and thoughful Brother in our group. Not only a real gentleman but a mature religious person at a time of much confusion in the Church and the Institute. May the Good Lord have him in his presence today and always!
Rest In Peace, good Brother!
I was in the class behind Phil. When I was working in adult faith formation in Queens, I had Phil come and speak. He was very generous. May he rest in peace.
A good and faithful brother who will be missed.
A beautiful person. Well liked and loved. I was in the group before Philip and can still remember him as a postulant. Rest In Peace Phillip. RIP
May you rest in peace, Phil! Phil was a senior at Loughlin my first year teaching … always the scientist and a kind, giving person. I was in community with Phil during his days as vocation director. It was a lonely job. I tried to support him and help with his ministry. Later I was in community with Phil at Loughlin. He kept the books! He was a wonderful support to me as director and by then had mastered technology. He found it hard to say no in those days. Again, he was kind and quiet but always about what would make life easier for others. Phil was spiritual in the best sense of that word, always reading and moving ahead with his thinking and changing, but at the same time a rock. Phil’s struggle with his health was always an issue, even as he moved forward with his ministry and his relationships. Phil, thanks for being you and for us. your brother, John McMahon
Phil was a gentle and powerful expression of what it means to be a Brother of the Christian Schools. It was always a joy to see him upon his various returns to Loughlin.
Recalling the decades of brotherhood, support and friendship always felt in/from you.
Continuing to remember the bus ride we shared from Narragansett to Troy when we departed the security of the Novitiate and traveled into the unknown of the Scholasticate and beyond. Your remaining calm, present and hope-filled during that trip helped me greatly. As time (the decades again) passed we found ourselves back in Brooklyn, at St. Cecilia’s, Bishop Loughlin, St. Augustine’s, and 2 North Henry Street. I am remembering your mom and her stay in Coney Island, your dad and his pup, and “Pop’s” great NYC Transit Police stories. He would keep us entertained in the upper room/2nd floor community room for hours while even the dog listened with interest. I remember gratefully our adventures at the “The Feast” in Brooklyn and winning gold fish, and visits with your sister, Pat and her family and her daughter, Michelle, who attended St. Cecilia’s School. I am so grateful we had the gift of time to share and to reconnect at the community house of Manhattan College at the District Meeting last year.
You remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Joe
I am sorry to hear about the passing of Brother Philip.
In the mid-1970s he led me from Aspirancy to Internship.
He was a dedicated son of the Church and of De La Salle: ever-changing, ever-growing.
He was a learned and holy Brother.
God will continue to bless him and give him the light, peace, and refreshment that he deserves.
Rest In Peace Philip!
I was privileged to live with Phil for almost 4 years. He was a kind and gentle man. May he rest in peace.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.