1933 – 2015
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Words of Remembrance for Brother Vincent O’Donnell, FSC
Given by Brother Francis McCrea, FSC
April 14, 2015
Mass of Christian Burial
Loretto Abbey Chapel, Toronto, Ontario
“A resilient life is more like a calm, deep river that soothes the suffering soul within us and in those around us.” wrote James Kullander.
Timothy Vincent O’Donnell was born on April 22, 1933 in Toronto to Patrick O’Donnell and Hannah Houghton, both of whom were immigrants from Ireland. His early education was at Our Lady of Lourdes and Del Bond Street, Toronto.
At the age of twenty three he entered the Brothers’ Novitiate on the former Senator Frank O’Connor’s property in Wexford, just outside of Toronto at the time. In 1962 he started his teaching apostolate at St. Dominic’s primary school in Montreal. After two years there he was assigned to St. John’s Training School, Uxbridge. In 1969 he was awarded his B.A. from Assumption University, Windsor, and his B.Ed. from the University of Saskatchewan in 1976.
In 1971 he was assigned to the community at St. Joseph’s College, Yorkton, and taught for the next thirteen years in two primary schools, St. Paul’s and St. Alphonsus. It was there that I met him on the year that the Brothers were withdrawing from Yorkton in 1984. He returned to Toronto that year and taught in the grade school at De La Salle “Oaklands” and later in Richmond Hill while living in the smaller community at the former Gate House on the property.
As he approached retirement age, he worked in our archives for a while and was inspired to go on our missions in Asia. After studying the local language in Malaysia, he taught English for the next ten years in Thailand, especially to our younger Brothers in formation. It was there that he felt complete fulfillment. Sister Noreen of Our Ladies Missionaries wrote to him, “You sound as if life there is interesting and that you are enjoying your ministry.” The provincial wrote, “We want to thank you for your wonderful presence among us and your generous service to work for our District.” When he returned to Toronto, because of his love of the people and his fond memories of his time in Asia, he used to wear the white religious habit at all our special functions.
He retired to La Salle Manor in 2006 and later to Providence Health Care where he lived for the next five years. During the later years he suffered from Parkinson’s disease. His movement was restricted and his speech was impaired. No doubt he felt the incapacitation, but the people there speak of him as a mild, caring and gentle person; a suffering soul soothing those around him. Today we join in praying that his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed may rest in peace.
Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Br. Vincent O’Donnell, FSC
Born Timothy Vincent O’Donnell in Toronto, Ontario, CANADA, on April 22, 1933
Entered the Aurora Novitiate on September 14, 1959
Received the Religious Habit and Name, Brother Sean, on December 20, 1959
Pronounced Perpetual Vows in North York, Ontario, CANADA on August 28, 1965
Br. Vincent died at Providence Healthcare Centre in Scarborough, Ontario, CANADA, on April 7, 2015
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:
Monday, April 13, 2015
Viewing from 3:00 – 7:30 pm;
prayer service at 7:30 pm
Loretto Abbey Chapel
101 Mason Boulevard
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA M5M 3E2
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am
Loretto Abbey Chapel
101 Mason Boulevard
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA M5M 3E2
Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario CANADA
SUFFRAGES FOR OUR DECEASED BROTHER VINCENT:
District: 50 masses
Loretto Abbey community: 30 masses
Each community in the District: 1 mass
Brother Vincent passed away peacefully during the late afternoon at Providence Healthcare Centre. May he rest in peace.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1962-1964
teacher
Montreal, Quebec
St. Dominic School
1964-1967
teacher
Uxbridge, Ontario
St. John’s School
1967-1969
study
residence: La Salle Hall
Windsor, Ontario
University of Windsor
1969-1970
teacher
Uxbridge, Ontario
St. John’s School
1970-1971
study
residence: La Salle Hall
Windsor, Ontario
University of Windsor
1971-1984
teacher
Yorktown, Saskatchewan
St. Joseph’s College
1984-1990
teacher
Toronto, Ontario
De La Salle College “Oaklands”
1990-1993
director
Richmond Hill, Ontario
De La Salle Hall
1993-1995
DLS Hall: director and O’Connor House: assistant archivist
Richmond Hill, Ontario
1995-1996
studies
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1996-2006
teacher
Sampran, Thailand
2006-2009
resident
Scarborough, Ontario
La Salle Manor
2009-2015
resident
Scarborough, Ontario
Provident Healthcare Centre