Remembering Brother Patrick Power, FSC, '31

Brother Patrick Power, FSC, ’31, went to his eternal reward this past Tuesday.

Brother Patrick Power, FSC, ’31, went to his eternal reward this past Tuesday. At 105 years of age, Brother Patrick was the sole remaining member of Central Catholic’s original 1931 graduating class and the oldest Brother in the Institute. Brother Patrick died peacefully during the early afternoon at De La Salle Hall after almost two months in hospice care.

Inspired by the Brothers’ community at Central Catholic, Brother Patrick entered the Novitiate in Ammendale, Md. on June 21, 1931 and received his Religious Habit and Name, Brother Gustin Patrick, on Sept. 7, 1931. As his father told him, the Brothers work for minimum pay, but “the benefits are out of this world.”

Serving on assignment at Lasallian schools throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Brother Patrick brought his spirit and talents as a scholastic, teacher, library assistant, community director and resident. Brother Patrick was educated to teach Religion and Latin, and his former students always remembered him fondly.

“Brother Patrick is an inspiration in the Brothers’ Community, and we are saddened to lose a great friend, mentor, teacher and member of the Brothers’ community,” said Brother Tony Baginski, FSC, Principal. “Brother Patrick’s dedication to his faith and service continued even in his final years, and we will forever honor him as an inspiration to and a pioneer in Lasallian education.”

Throughout his life, Brother Patrick retained a remarkable affection and loyalty to his alma mater, and Central Catholic is proud to have had him as a resident in the Brothers’ community at Central Catholic for nearly ten years from 1996 until 2005.

Not only did Brother Patrick bring his faith to the Central Catholic community, he also touched many lives of residents of the city of Pittsburgh. From 1961-1975, Brother Patrick served as a teacher at South Hills Catholic High School and from 1984-1996, returned to Pittsburgh as a resident at Seton La-Salle High School. As a trained Pastoral Minister, Patrick served for many years as the lone “minister on call” at Allegheny General Hospital, comforting patients and families during times of need.

In Central Catholic’s 2010-11 Annual Report, Brother Patrick reflected on the impact that Central Catholic has. “As students or alumni, we should all be grateful for all that we have received … Central took its first steps during the Great Depression which began in 1929. It knew poverty and hard times early on. But the Gospel clearly points out the road we ought to follow in helping our neighbor.”

As we remember Brother Patrick, we encourage you to read one of his reflections courtesy of FSC DENA.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May Brother Patrick Power, FSC, rest in peace. Amen.

Click here to read Brother Patrick’s Eulogy, to be delivered at the Mass of Christian Burial.

Funeral Arrangements:

De La Salle Hall

810 Newman Springs Road

Lincroft, NJ 07738