1935 – 2018
Words of Remembrance for Brother Stephen Creagh, FSC
Delivered by Brother Jerome Cox, FSC
Mass of Christian Burial
Christian Brothers Center, Our Lady of the Star Chapel, Narragansett, RI
June 13, 201
One hundred years ago, Auburndale, Queens County, was a forgotten part of New York City. Gradually, it developed into a fine neighborhood. It was there that Edward and Frances Creagh raised their two daughters, Carol and Jean, and their son Ronald. Was it a gentle hickory stick of parenting and parochial schooling that brought Ronny Creagh to the eighth grade at St. Kevin’s, mannered and scholarly? He was rightly prideful when he received acceptance for Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School. For the next four years, by bus and train, he traveled into Brooklyn. Gradually, he developed a strong attraction toward the life of the Christian Brothers, many of whom where his teachers and moderators. While at Loughlin, Ronny Creagh joined the track team and came to realize it requires effort and persistence to raise the bar not only in high jumping but also in life.
After graduation, for Ronny, it was up the Hudson River to Barrytown, NY, for the postulancy and novitiate. He exited as Brother Columban Stephen. Formation continued in the scholasticate in DC, not far from the Catholic University of America. This time when he moved on, it was with a BA in physics, and another name, the Giraffe. His height and bearing making it a natural.
In his first assignment at St. Raphael Academy, Pawtucket, RI, Steve was under a Principal\Director who gave little leeway but was very astute, seeing in Steve a very promising talent and suggesting to superiors that Steve would benefit from a bigger city, a bigger school. He found himself back in his boyhood county at Mater Christi High School where he continued his science and math teaching. In three summers he achieved an MS in Natural Science from the prestigious RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute).
The Districts of New York and Long Island-New England had in recent years taken Eastern Africa as their mission field, and Brothers were needed. Armed with his master’s degree and responsive to an impulse of faith, Steve volunteered and was assigned to the recently independent country of Tanzania. Picture Steve being driven from Nairobi Airport across the border with 19,000 plus feet of Mount Kilimanjaro looming ahead. In late August, the rains were over. What he viewed for the first time and for the next seven years was the snow covered top of the highest peak on the continent. It wasn’t long before he called it simply The Mountain, his mountain. I suspect from first sighting, he promised himself a climb and he did that from time to time. Steve loved to say that on that volcanic rim, he was the highest person on the continent.
The high school was called Umbwe handed over to the Brothers by the Holy Ghost Fathers, the Spiritians. Students came from a small but industrious ethnic group, the Wachagga. The boys were hungry for education, and Steve provided it. Seven periods a day weren’t enough to tire Steve. He looked for ways to enrich the life of a boarding school. For starters he began a science club with an eye on those on the soccer pitch. Friday night became outdoor movie night where a screen was set up to catch what his sixteen millimeter projector reeled. Not only was it enjoyment for the boys, but also for the neighbors who poured out of their coffee and banana ‘shambas’ for the treat. Many a weekend he would take groups of students to the world famous Serengeti Plains where they viewed the animal heritage of their country. The school had a tennis court for two or four at a time. But what about the rest? Steve really raised the bar when he and all concerned built a swimming pool. They were thrilled when the ribbon was cut on inauguration day. Class by class took their first dip.
Steve would have been content to remain at Umbwe pouring out his knowledge, compassion, and love, but he found himself in a one man community and needed more association. He crossed the border into Kenya and entered the employ of the Catholic Diocese of Kenya. Quickly they realized they had found a gem. He was the representative for the diocese at a government school, adding religion to an already heavy curriculum. Later he became the vocation director, recruiting young men for the priesthood. He also had the title of communication director. He befriended the Kiltegan Fathers and also the Maryknoll and Mercy Sisters. However, he yearned for his own school. That came when he was asked to lead Rongai Secondary. He was the Headmaster, and I was thankful to be his deputy. His leadership was modeled on the ‘self-reliance’ of Tanzania and the ‘let’s pull together’ of Kenya. In a short time, with boldness and passion, he shaped the ten acres into a fine compound: classrooms, dormitories, and playing fields. Half the land was saved for the growing of vegetables, the rearing of pigs, the layers of eggs, and the zero grazing of cows. Lessons were over by three when all students were involved in community service.
To raise money for the school, Steve decided to grow sunflowers and sell their seeds. However, the weaver and quelea birds weren’t factored in. They perched contentedly in nearby thorn trees, eating a large percentage of the seeds when the crop matured. A few bags were gifted to the seed company.
Photography, a great love of Steve’s, came to the fore at Rongai. After the manual work was completed, those inclined came to the dark room where Steve patiently taught the rudiments of developing and printing. Some opened their own shows during holiday time. The highly motivated student was spotted and regularly encouraged to continue higher education. Some at home; others overseas, all with Steve’s assistance.
It was at this time that the beginnings of health issues surfaced. One was a tricky and painful back. Medical treatment helped but, typical of Steve, he jerry rigged a pulley system in his bedroom using a brick for a counter weight, giving some relief. Melanoma was a second problem with a doctor suggesting chemotherapy. Steve tried it once and swore never again. The illness plagued him for decades, but you would never know it as he had a strong infusion of patience at confirmation.
Steve had two more assignments as headmaster. In Kenya it was at St. Mary’s and later a secondary school in South Africa. A total of twenty one years of educational leadership in three different countries. Brother Brendan Foley frequently says, “Steve could run a great school out of his back pocket”.
A man with the Midas touch. If there had been a double major in his undergraduate days for sure he would have selected English. He was a voracious reader; sometimes a novel a day. He gave himself English periods to teach and seemed to like to explicate one of Cat Steven’s songs. On many a chalk board Steve printed, “Morning has broken like the first morning. Blackbird has spoken like the first bird”. And then the rest of the stanza.
Could Steve have been a detective? I think so. Two ‘citizen’s arrests’ qualified him, one in the middle of Nairobi when he eyed his thieving cook. He stalked his man until he saw a policeman, collared James, and handed him over. Steve the forger: with a deft hand he could change an obvious eight to any number you want and then initial it, just like the civil servants. I have documents as exhibits. How about Steve the flim flam man? Going through customs can be hazardous. Steve’s rule was, keep a novel under your arm. When the agent starts looking too deeply into the ‘carry on’, interrupt and suggest he might enjoy a read after work. Invariably the bag is quickly zippered.
Though far from family and loved ones for much of his life, Steve held them close at heart with his aerograms and writings and sending of photos. And then the invitations were accepted. His mother came first with her sister Agnes. Word spread quickly of the visit and next arrived Carol and her husband, John. Their two boys, Paul and Bruce, followed. And hard on their heels was Steve’s sister Jean as well as his dear friends, Jim and Ellen Caulfield. That Steve could show them his community, school, friends and give them the tour of their lifetime made for great happiness.
In 2007 Steve called it a day after forty plus years of overseas ministry. He came here to Christian Brothers Center developing the quiet arts. On and off the property he found subjects to photograph. He personalized his note cards calling them Creagh Creations, the front cover always one of his photos. Writing intensified also. In Africa he had the temerity to write a booklet entitled, “A Short Guide to Rabbit Keeping in East Africa”. Imagine! But now his writing became more fraternal and personal. First there was “a History of the De La Salle Brothers in East Africa: 1958-1997”, and then his personal journal of his African days, a truly wonderful read. He called it “An African Season”. Still he had time for outreach, assisting with ‘Meals on Wheels’, helping in the local library, and driving the elderly to appointments. As Steve’s health continued to deteriorate, his visits to doctors were more frequent. Then the time came for the constant care that De La Salle Hall offers.
Some months ago Brother Kevin sorted out Steve’s room. I requested a look at his poetry collection. There were those of Hopkins, Mary Oliver, Maya Angelou and one written by the late Brother Daniel Burke, FSC, a former president of La Salle University. It’s entitled ‘Apostle and Disciples’, poems and illustrations of Gospel scenes. Steve liked it very much but found it wanting. The Emmaus story was missing. Writing in the style of Brother Daniel, Steve submitted to the author the following:
Emmaus
We had been walking an hour or more
so deep in sorrow that time had no measure
We had placed all our hope in Jesus.
But no betrayed and executed,
He has left us with nothing more than
Some women’s stories of his missing body.
Then a stranger came in the gloaming
and revealed to us the Messianic message
of the scriptures,
at table, in the breaking of the bread
we saw Him
and our hearts burned within us.
Brother Columban Stephen, FSC
Thank you, Steve, for being Brother, friend, and sharing your joy of Christian living.
St. John Baptist De La Salle, pray for us. Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever!
Please Pray for the Repose of the Soul of Brother Stephen Creagh, FSC
Born Ronald Philip Creagh in Bronx, NY, on April 2, 1935
Entered the Barrytown, NY, Novitiate on February 14, 1953
Received the Religious Habit and Name, Brother Columban Stephen, on May 14, 1953
Pronounced Perpetual Vows in Barrytown, NY, on September 1, 1960
Died at De La Salle Hall in Lincroft, NJ, on June 8, 2018
Funeral Arrangements
Monday, June 11, 2018
Viewing from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
De La Salle Hall
Lincroft, NJ
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Viewing from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Christian Brothers Center Community (Blue Room)
635 Ocean Road
Narragansett, RI 02882-1314
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am
Burial in Brothers’ cemetery; Lunch following
Christian Brothers Center (Our Lady of the Star Chapel)
The District of Eastern North America remembers Brother Stephen with memorial liturgies according to the tradition of the Institute. Through their prayers, communities and individuals entrust Brother Stephen to God’s loving care.
Brother Stephen passed away peacefully during the late evening at De La Salle Hall after a week in hospice care. May he rest in peace.
Assignments
1958-1962
Pawtucket, RI
St. Raphael Academy: teacher
1962-1965
Astoria, NY
Mater Christi High School: teacher
1965-1972
Moshi, TANZANIA
Umbwe Secondary School: teacher
1973-1975
Nakuru, KENYA
Menengai High School: teacher
1975-1984
Rongai, KENYA
Rongai Secondary School: headmaster; teacher
1985-1987
Njoro, KENYA
Njoro High School: teacher
1987-1988
Subukia, KENYA
La Salle Secondary School: headmaster; teacher
1989-1989
Nakuru, KENYA
Catholic Diocese of Nakuru: communication director
1989-1997
Nyeri, KENYA
St. Mary’s Boys Secondary School: headmaster; teacher
1998-1998
Rongai, KENYA
Rongai Secondary School: teacher
1998-1999
Oakdale, NY
La Salle Center: director
1999-2001
Narragansett, RI
Christian Brothers Center: director
1999-2001
Wakefield, RI
The Prout School: teacher
2001-2001
Dwars’ River, S. AFRICA
St. Brendan’s School: teacher
2001-2004
Ansfree, S. AFRICA
La Salle College: headmaster; teacher
2004-2004
Nairobi, KENYA
Christ the Teacher Institute for Education: lecturer
2004-2004
Nairobi, KENYA
De La Salle Scholasticate: director of finance
2005-2005
Staten Island, NY
St. Peter’s Boys High School: teacher
2005-2006
North Kingstown, RI
Blessed Scalabrini Residence: director
2007-2007
Nyeri, KENYA
St. Mary’s Boys Secondary School: teacher
2007-2009
Narragansett, RI
Christian Brothers Center: resident
2009-2010
Oakdale, NY
Christian Brothers Community: resident
2010-2017
Narragansett, RI
Christian Brothers Center: resident
2017-2018
Lincroft, NJ
De La Salle Hall: resident
Thanks for Sharing and letting us know on the news of Bro Stephen, he was a great teacher and I remember him with lots of gratitude for the virtues and values he transmitted to us at St.Mary Boys in Nyeri. May the Almighty rest his soul in eternal peace as we condole with all the brothers of his community and family.
Precisely. Ask any Rongai Boys’ alumnus(1980-1983) about Bro Steve. He was everything: manager,Secretary, bursar etc… indefatigable. We use to call him ‘Kaburu’ due to his strict nature. I think most of us will forever thank him because of what he positively inculcated into us. May our heavenly Father rest him in eternal peace, Amen.
May God Rest his soul in eternal peace and give strength and comfort to all who cherished him.
I have about a dz Memorial cards I can bring to Fall Reunion OR PM he an address here
I meant to say PM here on FB your mailing address-
I read this very late. Steve was Steve. As Brendan said “He could run a great school from a back pocket!” He loved fun … movies, adventure, writing, reading….. ever busy but very relaxed. At St Mary’s he loved nursing also. The sick-bay was so comfortable that sick students wanted to be bedridden a day longer! He loved taking his clubs to the Kenyan national parks – Abedares, Nakuru, etc. Photography: In the “An African Session” there is a picture of him with two of his former students at St Mary’s which he shot from a set camera. most of my high school photos are by him. English – where am working currently am known as the ‘English man’ due to the accent we inherited from him. Spiritual life – Steve once told me that he was going to loan me his ‘angel’ to look after me when i was going through some problems he well understood! He loaned me a book called ‘Angels walk on Earth’. It details situations in some people’s life which could only have been saved by angels. There is a lot that could be said about Steve, given space and time. RIP Steve. Francois.
Learning late of the demise of our dear teacher at Rongai Boys-will always remember him for the Discipline & a Jack of all trade virtues he taught us as he took us through 4 years in School-rip
Rest well Brother Stephen. In my final year in high school, through his encouragement and exceptional teaching skill, he made me do well in Math a subject I loathe in early years. He was one of the most humorous teachers I encountered in my academic life.
Rest in peace Brother Stephen.jHe taught me Engish and Physics in Rongai 1976-1979. He would call you “cabbage” when your answer was wrong. He taught us integrity and how to manage time. Thanks to Brother Jerome too who taught us maths, chemistry and religion. The skills and virtues they both imparted have been useful through out my career.
Rest in peace brother Stephen Creagh. You were my mentor and inspiration.
You made physics so easy for our form four class of 1981.
I am who and what I am because of you.
Once may his soul rest in eternal peace
My first year out of college, 1965, Bro Stephen and I were the Physics Dept. at Mater Christi High School. I had some game in Physics but in teaching not so much.
As my mentor in that crucial first year, Bro Stephen, with kindness, patience and competence, helped me develop the skills that were essential throughout my career.
It’s too late to pay him back, so I’ve tried to pay it forward. He would have liked that.
What a wonderful man. May God rest his soul in peace. We miss you brother but you left a better world in us.
To me Rongai Boys was synonymous with Bro Steve…
But I equally could not be who I am without Bro Jerome Cox…. Maths Chemistry and religion were made so so easy.
Where are you Bro Jerome?
Have looked for your contact in vain.
God bless you too wherever you even as I continue celebrating Bro Steve
RIP Brother Steve.I learnt photography from him and later hired his cameras to practice it while still in school. I continued with it as a side hustle after’o’ levels.I left St .Mary’s Nyeri in 1992.
Br. Stephen was an inspiration in Science. As in his first MC Physics class, he turned the normal world into a world of wonder and excitement. It is easy to see why I would become a Physics teacher for all my teaching career when you saw him turn all the lights of science magic on in our classroom. I participated in two science fairs through his guidance. Learning he became a ‘missionary,’ I wrote to him while he was in Africa, and received a letter back where he told me that while he was glad to see I was teaching what he had taught me, ‘never forget, you teach kids first, and physics next.’