Words of Remembrance for Brother Robert Carnaghi, FSC
Given by Brother Kenneth Kalinowski, FSC
Memorial Mass
Saint Joan of Arc Church
St. Clair Shores, Michigan
Brother Robert Carnaghi FSC was a DeLaSalle Christian Brother for 72 years. Born on the Eastside of Detroit, St. Elizabeth’s Parish to George and Josephine, he is preceded in death by his brother George and sister Georgene. He is survived by his DeLaSalle Brothers and by his brother Gerry – his wife Josephine, and countless nephews, nieces, and great nephews and great nieces.
Brother Bob met the Brothers while attending St. Joseph’s High School on Gratiot. He was an athletic superstar in high school, playing in the city championship at Olympia stadium in Detroit – St. Joe’s vs. Detroit Miller High School and the game attracted over 16,000 people. Bob earned All- City Honors
Bob entered the Brothers on September 7, 1948, earning his degrees from Catholic University in Washington DC, with a BA in English, and later earning a MA in English from Manhattan College, and a BS in Biology from the University of Wisconsin.
Bob’s assignments include grammar schools, reform schools, orphanages, and serving as a formator of teachers in Nairobi, Kenya. Bob served in the missions of Africa and Jamaica, and then was requested home to the missions of New York City! Bob was an athletic director, assistant, principal, principal and a President.
Brother Bob, now in his 60’s was asked to serve the Province in Vocation Work before finally returning home to DeLaSalle Collegiate being named President of the school. At the same time Bob was the Superior of the Brother’s Community at DLS.
As you can tell, Bob’s life was of service, he took the Brothers vow, “of going wherever I may be sent and to do whatever may be asked” with a kind and gentle spirit.
What can I tell you about this man that you don’t know, perhaps very little. Bob was one of the most prayerful Brothers I have ever met, always first to the chapel before morning or evening prayer. Bob was selfless! Each year, at Christmas – all the Detroit Brothers come home for the holidays. Bob’s birthday is December 23rd, but we could not celebrate his birthday that day, he wanted us to celebrate Christmas, his birthday could wait for another day! If we even mentioned his birthday – he would hush us.
Bob would often use his monthly allowance to pay for a boy’s tuition, or cover their lunch. It was rare to see him purchase anything new for himself. During Covid shutdown, an extremely difficult time for all of us – Bob loved to go for a daily ride, we would often drive to Belle Isle – and at least twice a week to visit the Brother’s plot at Mt. Olivet. Brother Bob’s family plot is in view of the Brother’s graves and we would always stop to say a prayer.
Driving with Bob, sometimes was a challenge for a loud Brother like myself, he would often say very little, and just enjoyed the ride – especially when I took him back to Hamtramck or the area where he grew up near St. Elizabeth’s.
Bob loved his family, he treasured the last year with his sister Georgene, visiting her nearly every day. Both of them loved Better Made White Popcorn! Bob loved to visit his Brother Gerry and his family at Easter time in Arizona, where he would usually tell us stories about how he hit on a slot machine with them on his visit. Bob adored his nieces and nephews, and was so grateful for their call and for them having him over to their pools or cookouts.
Bob loved DeLaSalle Collegiate and the boys that he served at the school. At the age of 90 he still had more energy than myself, he could never miss a sporting event, concert, assembly, or Mass. Bob lived for the boys and they knew of his care for them. Bob planned out this funeral and on the last page he wrote, “All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you”. Well, this morning that will be true, as we say goodbye to a true son of St. LaSalle.
Live Jesus In our Hearts! Forever!
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Brother Robert Carnaghi, FSC
1930 – 2021
Born Robert Joseph Carnaghi in Detroit MI on 23 December 1930
Entered the Barrytown NY Novitiate on 26 June 1948
Received the Religious Habit and Name Azarias Robert on 7 September 1948
Pronounced Perpetual Vows in Troy NY on 31 August 1955
Died at De La Salle Hall in Lincroft NJ on 2 March 2021
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Friday, 12 March 2021
Visitation – 4.00pm to 8.00pm
De La Salle Collegiate Gymnasium
14600 Common Road · Warren MI 48088
Saturday, 13 March 2021
Eulogy – 9.45am
Mass of Christian Burial – 10.00am
Saint Joan of Arc Parish
22412 Overlake Street · St. Clair Shores MI 48080
The Eulogy and the Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed at https://www.sjascs.org/
Interment following
Mount Olivet Cemetery
17100 Van Dyke Street · Detroit MI 48234
Brother Robert died peacefully Tuesday evening after a brief respite in hospice care.
The District of Eastern North America remembers Brother Robert with memorial liturgies according to the tradition of the Institute. Through their prayers, communities and individuals entrust Brother Robert to God’s loving care.
May he rest in peace.
ASSIGNMENTS
1949–1953
Washington DC
The Catholic University of America (scholasticate)
1953–1956
New York NY
Good Shepherd Elementary School
1956–1958
Albany NY
La Salle School
1958–1960
Kenya Africa
Kamwenja Teacher Training School
1960–1968
Lincroft NJ
Christian Brothers Academy
1968–1968
West New York NJ
Saint Joseph of the Palisades High School (1st semester)
1968–1969
Santa FE NM
Sangre de Cristo Center (2nd semester)
1969–1978
Staten Island NY
Saint Peter’s Boys High School
1978–1987
Syracuse NY
Christian Brothers Academy
1987–1987
Rome Italy
CIL (2nd semester)
1987–1988
Warren MI
De La Salle Collegiate
1988–1989
Kingston Jamaica
Alpha Boys School
1989–1990
New York NY
La Salle Academy
1990–1992
Warren MI
De La Salle Collegiate
1992–1996
Lincroft NJ
District Administration (Vocations/Formation)
1996–2002
Lincroft NJ
District Administration (Auxiliary Visitor)
2002–2012
Warren MI
De La Salle Collegiate
2012–2012
Renewal (1st semester)
2013–2020
Warren MI
De La Salle Collegiate
2020–2021
Lincroft
NJ De La Salle Hall (resident
I was a student of Br. Robert in the 6th grade at Good Shepherd Elementary School in the Inwood neighborhood of northern Manhattan. As 10-11 year old, half the age of Br. Robert at that time, remember him, with fondness, as a good teacher and a good man. Thank you Br. Robert, Requiescat in Pace!
What a gift it is to have known Brother Bob and his beloved sister, Georgene.
All the teenage boys that I grew up with in Inwood during his GSS years were jealous of Brother Robert because the girls were always saying “Oh, that Brother Robert is so handsome — so good looking” — he was — but we didn’t want to hear it!
He was a good guy
He made a huge positive impact on my life–I remember him VERY well and often remember things he said.
A tremendous educator–amazing how the lessons still resonate and echo 37 years later.
I was a student of St. Peters Boys HS on Staten w where Brother Robert was Vice Principal and Principal!
A perfect gentleman!
Fair!
Always treated everyone with respect!
I do a craft show every year at Christian Brothers in Lincroft and often mention to one of the Brothers how he was doing!
My heart goes out to you Brother Robert
Class of 1973
The Best of the Best
Thank you for this opportunity to share my experience with you that reflects Brother Robert’s respect for life, love, and living his ideals. In 1983 with 3 sons attending CBA Syracuse, when I came to school for the first time visibly pregnant with baby #7 Br. Robert saw me, embraced me so warmly and gifted our family with no tuition charges for the 3 boys that school year. Yes, we were very grateful but I think I thought it was “comped” from the school. As I read these other testimonies, I can but think it was a personal gift. Thank you, dear Br. Robert for honoring us in this way.
May you rest in the warmth of Our Lord’s Embrace eternally, dear Br. Robert.
Live Jesus in your hearts. Forever!!