Joseph Bertram lvor Netto, the son of Peter and Phyllis Netto, was born in Madras, India on 12th September 1941. He was baptised and later confirmed at the Salesian parish of Mater Dolorosa, Royapuram. The parish priest there would later write, 'I am delighted that lvor, once our exemplary altar server, has found his vocation to serve in the vineyard of Our Lord. God bless his desire and grant him perseverance.' In the summer of 1958 lvor made the long voyage with his parents and brother, Gerry, to England and they settled in Exeter. lvor attended Hele's School, Exeter from 1958 to 1961, leaving the school with excellent grades in Physics, Chemistry, Zoology. It seemed obvious to his Form Master that a course of university studies was the next logical step to take, but lvor had other hopes and dreams for his future as he had felt called to the priesthood and to the religious life as a Salesian of Don Bosco.

lvor went to Shrigley Park, near Macclesfield in August 1961, where he studied Latin and assisted with some teaching. He made his novitiate in Burwash. Fr Martin McPake, the Novice Master wrote of him, 'lvor's piety is deep and genuine. He has a lovely disposition, is most pleasant and cheerful and highly refined in manner. He is an accomplished violinist and has good artistic ability. He has given nothing but edification and satisfaction all though this year of his novitiate. His companions all esteem him and are fond of him, He is a very promising Salesian.' lvor was professed as a Salesian of Don Bosco on 8th September 1963. After studying philosophy at Beckford, lvor gained a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany, Chemistry and Physics. In 1968 lvor was a member of the teaching staff at Ballinakill in Ireland. He moved to Crumlin, Dublin in 1969, attending St Patrick's College, Maynooth from there. He completed his theological studies in 1973, graduating from the seminary with a Bachelor of Divinity degree.

A note from Fr McQuaid, the Provincial Secretary of the Irish Province, records that as well as receiving the Tonsure and the Minor Orders in Dublin, lvor was also ordained to the Subdiaconate in Maynooth. He was the last Salesian in the province to have received the Minor Orders, as the reforms of Vatican II regarding the reception of Ministries and Orders by candidates to the priesthood were implemented in the Church. Five days after becoming a Subdeacon lvor was ordained to the Diaconate in Exeter. He was ordained as a Salesian priest in The Sacred Heart Church, Battersea on 30th March 1973 by Archbishop Cowderoy. As a newly ordained priest lvor was sent to Rome to study Canon Law at the Salesian University, gaining a Licentiate 'Magna cum Laude' in 1975. He would later recall the look of shock and disbelief on the faces of his professors after they had asked about his future plans and he had informed them that he would not be studying for his doctorate, but rather that he was being sent by the Provincial to teach Physics and RE to teenagers in Bolton! He was to remain as a member of staff at Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton until 1988. During those years lvor also used his canonical expertise by assisting as a Judge in the Salford Diocesan Marriage Tribunal. At weekends, lvor played his part in helping with the numerous parish supplies around Bolton, frequently at St John's Parish, Bromley Cross where he came to be regarded as an unofficially appointed curate!

There followed three appointments as Rector in Chertsey (1988-1991), Bollington (1991-1993) and Battersea (1993 -1995). In 1995 he was appointed Parish Priest of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Cowley, Oxford, remaining there until 2001. Over the next three years, lvor had several pastoral appointments: Chaplain at London University, supply work from the Battersea community and missionary work in Monrovia, Liberia. In 2004 he moved back to Bolton and began assisting in the Missions Office, taking responsibility for the many donations which were sent in support of missionary work in India. This service to the missions and to the province lvor carried out with his usual generosity and care. In 2012 lvor was asked to go to the General House in Rome to assist with the work of translation. However, during that year he had concerns about his health and returned to the UK where he joined the Battersea community. In 2014 lvor moved to the Farnborough community, once again taking on the coordination of the Indian mission accounts and assisting in parish supply work in the area.

The Farnborough House Chronicle notes that on the morning of 23rd June 2017, 'As Fr lvor Netto was starting to vest for Mass, after Morning Prayer, he suffered a severe brain haemorrhage. An ambulance was called and he was taken to Frimley Park Hospital. A scan revealed that the bleed had caused irreversible damage and no treatment was possible. He was kept on life support in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while his brother and sister-in-law came to be with him, and he was anointed by Fr John O'Sullivan, the hospital chaplain.' lvor never regained consciousness and died in the evening of 26th June 2017. His mortal remains were brought to Our Lady Help of Christians parish church, Farnborough for the Vigil Reception which was led by the Rector, Fr Des O'Riordan and the Requiem Mass was celebrated the next day on 19th July 2017. Again, the House Chronicle notes, The funeral of Fr Netto was very well attended by nearly two hundred relatives and friends from his various apostolates. Fr Gerry Briody presided and preached at the Mass together with Salesian priests and brothers from Battersea, Chertsey, Cowley and Bolton. There were 33 concelebrants in total, including several diocesan priests. The homily captured the talents and generosity of Fr Netto and also hinted gently at some of his more particular characteristics. Fr Heaps led the commendation at the end of Mass and Fr Graham Forristalle conducted the committal at the graveside. In the congregation, Fr Netto's brother Gerry and sister-in-law Muriel were joined by parishioners from Wembley, Weybridge, Cowley, Bolton and Haslemere. After the burial at Ship Lane Cemetery, more than sixty sat down in (and on the patio of) St John Bosco House for a hot meal prepared by our wonderful team of cooks and helpers.'

lvor was a naturally cheerful and kind man, with a warm smile and a joyful laugh, who enjoyed the company of others. He was a talented violinist and had a fine tenor voice, although it has to be said that his vocal harmonies were not always as enthusiastically welcomed or appreciated by his brother Salesians as lvor might have imagined them to be!
Many confreres will recall that during the Holy Week or Easter Week retreats, lvor would prepare carousels of coloured slides and music which would be synchronised to present beautiful meditations on the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. In the days before PowerPoint all of this would take him many hours of work. This was a way in which lvor shared something of his Christian faith and enabled others to pray in a creatively Salesian way. lvor also organised numerous summer trips to the monastic community in Taize, France. These trips were an opportunity for the young people who accompanied him to experience something of French culture, something of the life and prayer of the monks of Taize, sharing something of one's time, friendship and faith with others. lvor was always surprised and delighted when his past pupils or former parishioners would come and greet him. 'How did they recognise me after all this time' he would ask? His usual response to his own question, with a twinkle in his eye, was 'TDH - It's because I'm tall, dark and handsome!'

In the liturgy of Taize this prayer is chanted, 'Bless the Lord my soul and bless his holy name. Bless the Lord my soul who leads me into life.' It is our fervent prayer that lvor now experiences the fulness of God's love in the happiness of heaven; that he has joy with God forever in the fulness of life.

Fr Kieran Anderson SDB

George Cuthbert Williams was born in Wallasey, Wirral, on 26th May 1916. He was an only child. For his secondary education he attended St Francis Xavier College, later frequenting Liverpool University. There he obtained a BSc degree in Chemistry and went on to do research which resulted in George being awarded a PhD. During World War II he worked for the Ministry of Defence. In 1946 he went to the Novitiate in Beckford, and was professed as a Salesian of Don Bosco on 8th September 1947. He then spent four years at Shrigley as a student of Philosophy and a teacher, during which he made his final profession in 1950. In 1951 he began his theological studies in the Crocetta, Turin, and was ordained a priest on 18th July 1954. He completed his theological studies in 1955, obtaining his STL.

George was appointed to Shrigley as Headteacher (1955 - 57), and then served as Rector for four years. During this time Pope John XXIII issued Veterum Sapientia, and George accordingly set about raising the standard of Latin in the College. On Sunday evenings he regularly shared with boys and community his knowledge of Don Bosco, especially his dreams. He was then transferred to Cowley as Rector and member of the Provincial Council. In 1964 he succeeded Fr Hall as Provincial, residing in Battersea. It was during his tenure that the province was divided: the UK and Malta stayed together, and Ireland formed a new province with southern Africa. On completing his six-years' term he spent a year in Rome as Rector of the Don Bosco community in the UPS, a time he found frustrating, but which he accepted with his customary sense of obedience.

He attended the General Chapter as delegate for the UPS in 1971, and was elected as the General Councillor for the English-speaking Region, succeeding Fr Tohill. This new role entailed his visiting Salesian communities in the United States and Canada, Ireland, Malta, Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Australia and other Far Eastern provinces - an onerous task, which he fulfilled with great generosity and commitment. At the next General Chapter he became a Regional Councillor, his region now reduced to the two United States provinces and Canada, Australia, Ireland, Malta, Southern Africa and the UK. When his term of office finished at the 1983 General Chapter, he remained in the Generalate in Rome for the next 19 years, for a time as secretary to Fr McPake, and also as a translator, a task which he fulfilled with great competence and dedication. During this period his computer skills were also greatly appreciated, as was his practical help as a point of contact in Rome.

In 2002 George returned to the UK and spent one year in the Provincial House in Stockport, before transferring to St Joseph's, Bolton. For several years he continued to translate documents for the General Council, until his eyesight began to fail, and he began to suffer memory loss. In May 2016 he celebrated his 100th birthday, the second Salesian in the history of the province to do so. A year later he needed a greater level of care than could be provided at St Joseph's, and he was accepted into Nazareth House, Prestwich. However, after only a few hours he had a fall, and was taken to hospital, where he died some days later on 6th June 2017. George, after the celebration of Requiem Mass, was laid to rest in the Salesian graves in Astley Bridge Cemetery, Bolton.

A very intelligent man with a good sense of humour and great kindness, George will be remembered for his deep commitment to Don Bosco, faithful obedience, and his generous service to the Salesian Congregation.

Fr Michael T Winstanley SDB

Francis Sutherland, the son of William and Isabelle Sutherland (nee Murphy), was born in Glasgow on 3rd August 1927. He was the youngest of their nine children and together with his seven brothers and his sister they formed a very happy family in the Gorbals district of the city. He was baptised in St John's Parish, Portugal Street on 11th August 1927 and confirmed in Holy Cross Parish, Dixon Avenue on 21st October 1934. In 1940 Frank attended Holyrood Secondary School, a recently built Catholic school on the south side of the city whose entry requirements demanded a high mark in the qualifying examinations. At the age of 16 he studied for one year at Skerry's College, Glasgow which provided students with training for Civil Service examinations. In September 1944 Frank left Glasgow and became a student at the Salesian Missionary College, Shrigley Park, near Macclesfield, Cheshire. The Rector at the time noted that Frank was a good worker and 'a pious and earnest boy'. After a period of two years during which Frank completed his Schools Certificate qualification he was admitted to the Salesian Novitiate in Beckford and made his First Profession as a Salesian of Don Bosco on 8th September 1947.

Following his philosophical studies Frank was asked to go and teach at St Patrick's School, Sliema in Malta. The Rector, Fr Mcloughlin, noted that Frank was 'an excellent religious and dutiful assistant. He is patient. As teacher and assistant and as a confrere with the confreres he is a good Salesian.' Furthermore, in the House Council's observations upon Frank's application for Perpetual Profession the Rector wrote, 'Brother Francis is pious and obedient, diligent in his religious duties and in his care for the boys. He takes correction readily.' Frank made his Perpetual Profession on 24th May 1952 in Malta before returning to England to join the staff at the Salesian College, Farnborough for a year and then becoming an Assistant for a year at the school in Aberdour, Scotland. After this period of practical training Frank began his studies in theology at Melchet Court, Hampshire. Again, those concerned with his training recognised in him strong Christian and Salesian virtues, 'This Brother has always shown himself docile, humble and obedient. He is generous with his spare time and always ready to take part in all activity. A good student who works hard; pious, observant and sincere.' He was ordained a priest at Melchet Court by Bishop Rudderham on 13th July 1958.

Frank's ministry as a Salesian priest was exercised as a very dedicated and much appreciated teacher. Between 1958 and 1974 he taught at Shrigley, Blaisdon, Aberdour, Daleside in South Africa, Bootle and again in Malta. From 1974 until his retirement from teaching in 1997 Frank taught History at Salesian College, Farnborough. Of those many years, Br Michael Delmer offered these reflections:

"When Frank came back to Farnborough he said one of the reasons for his doing so was because he had been suffering with prolonged bouts of asthma. This had curtailed his teaching. He remembered that Farnborough was renowned for the health qualities of the Hampshire Pines of which there were many around the College grounds. It was a good choice, because after some prolonged and severe bouts of asthma in the beginning, they gradually became fewer and fewer and for the next 30+ years he scarcely suffered an attack! He was a very dedicated and enthusiastic History teacher and his excellent examination results reflected his ability. His enthusiasm fired the imagination of his pupils. With the younger groups, he used his imagination. He used to take them on outings to the History Museum, Winchester Cathedral. His work was planned with a workbook for each pupil. At the British Museum, this attracted the person in charge who said she had never seen such well-behaved, enthusiastic, well-mannered and cheerful youngsters before! Groups of children were usually loud and unruly. His was education in action. Frank took over as Deputy Head in my place from 1983 to 1988. He also took over my role as liaison between the Past Pupils' Committee and the College until his retirement. Frank was a dedicated apostle of the Staff Room. He went to the Staff Room almost every day - even after his retirement and until he went to the Nursing Home. The most common comments voiced by the staff in appreciation of his visits focused on Frank's kindness, his "soft spoken gentleness," (although, as I recollect, not on the golf course!), his helpfulness, and wise advice. Indeed, there was a great sense of sadness and loss at his passing."

Gradual ill-health required Frank to leave the Salesian community to receive dedicated nursing care and in 2014 he became a resident at the Maltese Dominican Sisters home in Hook, Hampshire. Frank had always maintained very close association with the various generations of his family in Scotland and in 2015 he returned to Glasgow to be nearer to them, becoming a resident at St Francis' Nursing Home, Govan. Here, Frank settled into being cared for and resumed something of his usual calm, cheerful and contented disposition. It was a blessing that he could live at the same home as his brother, Tony, and that he could be visited with great regularity by his nephews and nieces.

Frank was admitted to The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow where he died peacefully, though unexpectedly on 24th September 2016. From Don Bosco's earliest days, the Salesian Family holds the 24th of the month as a day particularly dedicated to the veneration of Our Blessed Lady, recalling especially her presence among us and her continuing mission in the Church as our mother and our help. It is our faith that moves us to believe deeply that she was with Frank 'at the hour' of his death and has accompanied him safely in the journey to the Father's house. The Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Gerry Briody, the Provincial, at Christ the King Parish, King's Park on 6th October 2016 along with confreres, family and friends. Afterwards, Fr Jim McGarry led the graveside prayers as Frank was laid to rest in St Peter's Cemetery, Dalbeth, Glasgow. A Memorial Mass was celebrated by Fr Dan Donohoe and confreres from the Farnborough community on· 8th October 2016 at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Farnborough which gave the opportunity for many of Frank's former pupils, colleagues, and friends to pay their respects and to pray for his eternal happiness.

0 God, you are the glory of the believer and the life of the just for you have saved us through the death and resurrection of Jesus your Son. Be merciful to our brother Frank who in his Salesian apostolate professed his faith in the resurrection. Bless him with happiness without end in the joy of Heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr Kieran Anderson SDB

William Joseph Boyd, affectionately known as Bill by his family, confreres and friends, was born on the 2nd November 1917 in the heart of west Belfast, Ireland, a country that had not yet been partitioned into north and south. He and his sister Maura were the children of Thomas and Mary Boyd (nee Murray). He was baptised and confirmed in St Malachy's Parish, Belfast and he attended St Congall's Boys School, where he was noted for his excellent record of attendance, punctuality and conduct. Around the time of starting school Bill's father died and his mother brought up her young family. A letter from the parish priest recommending Bill in his application to go to the recently opened Salesian Missionary College at Shrigley Park, near Macclesfield stated, 'I have known William J. Boyd since he was a child, and I can certify that I have never known a better boy. He is now 14 years of age and I recommend him as a most suitable candidate for the Salesian Order. His mother is an excellent woman and has certainly reared her family well, giving them the best example. He has gone daily to Holy Communion for the past four years.'

Bill made the journey from County Antrim to Cheshire, England and became a pupil at Shrigley in September 1932. Records describe him as a quiet, somewhat shy personality, attentive to his studies and sincerely religious. He entered the Salesian Novitiate, Beckford in 1937 and made his First Profession as a Salesian of Don Bosco on the 31st August 1938. In the dark days of a world at war, Bill's Perpetual Profession was brought forward as the judgement of medical specialists concluded that he was suffering from a condition referred to as tuberculosis of the bowel, which had necessitated surgery and hospitalisation. However, a recurrence of the illness at any time and with fatal consequence could not be ruled out! Bill's health, thankfully, held up and he was ordained to the priesthood at Blaisdon, Glos. on the 14th July 1946.

After ordination Bill was sent to work for one year at the Salesian Press in Battersea, which was followed by one year as Assistant Bursar in Blaisdon and two years working for Salesian Publications in Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick, Ireland. He was a member of the Blaisdon community from 1950 to 1970. For four years he again had responsibility as an assistant bursar, becoming Parish Priest of Blaisdon in 1954. Whilst working in Blaisdon he became the Catholic Padre to the Gloucestershire Army Cadet Force for the northern half of the county, holding the rank of Captain. He also became the RC Chaplain to RAF lnnsworth. He was awarded the Cadet Forces Medal for his long and meritorious service of 13 years, the award was formally cited in The London Gazette.

In 1970 Bill accepted the responsibility of becoming a Chaplain to the Forces and a teacher at the Windsor School, Rheindalen in Germany. The Joint Military Headquarters Rheindalen, near Monchengladbach in North Rhine-Westphalia, functioned as the main military base for British forces in Germany and for the NATO Northern Army Group, and at its peak the school had over 1000 pupils. It was a demanding and busy ministry, but one which Bill very much enjoyed and an environment in which he thrived. It was to be his ministry as a Salesian priest for 39 years.

Two letters written to Fr Pat Sherlock in Stockport in 2003 provide an insight into Bill's ministry as a caring and compassionate priest, as well as his fearless honesty and humour. On the Feast of St Patrick, Bill wrote, 'Many thanks for your prayers. As well as the school, I look after the army mental hospital. Already we have some patients (wives) suffering from stress and depression caused by the worry of war with Iraq. Six of our Catholic chaplains are already with the troops who have been deployed, leaving three of us plus three nuns to care for the families. The military bishop Tom Burns is coming out at Easter to help with the services.'

Writing again some months later, 'I'm in reasonably good shape for an old one coming up to 86 next month. Where have all those years gone!! Last week all the army chaplains here in Germany were back in England on retreat. I was left with 3 nuns to cover the whole of Germany - a crazy situation! At school we have an OFSTED inspection during the first week of December. It has just been announced, as you can imagine it is panic stations all round. A few years ago, during an OFSTED inspection the RE inspector- a Catholic - was present while I was having a school Mass. After the Mass she began to tell me how I should have said the Mass! I told her I had been saying Mass for 50 years and asked her how long had she been saying Mass? She left me alone after that!'

In recognition of his dedicated Salesian pastoral ministry as a chaplain, Bill was made a Member of the British Empire and he also received the papal award Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. At the age of 92 years, Bill felt it was time to 'hang up his boots' and leaving Rheindalen he drove back to St John Bosco House, Farnborough to retire.

For someone who had lived outside of a Salesian community for almost 40 years, Bill had no difficulty in coming home and during those final years of his life in Farnborough Bill demonstrated on a daily basis just how deeply a community man he was. He did what he could within the community: serving others at table, being attentive to the needs of those around him, offering a kind and encouraging word, welcoming visitors with great friendliness and good humour, being a prayerful person and a gracious presence in community. His desire to be of service to others never left him and in his late nineties Bill started to celebrate Mass each Sunday at a local nursing home run by the Dominican Sisters of Malta. Eventually advanced age meant that he could no longer stand for any length of time to celebrate Mass, but Bill continued to go to the home in order to give the homily and afterwards he would join the residents and the Sisters for a cuppa and a chat. It was something he looked forward to and it brought him great pleasure and blessing.

Bill celebrated the 70th anniversary of his ordination as a Salesian priest on 14th July 2016. Two days later he was admitted to Frimley Park Hospital. His strength gradually weakened and he died peacefully on the 28th August 2016. At the Requiem Mass, the Provincial, Fr Gerry Briody was able to welcome Bill's sister, Maura and Susan his niece, Bishop Tom Burns, Bishop 'Emeritus to the Forces, Fr Ian Evans, Assistant Chaplain General, the Dominican Sisters, confreres and friends. Bill was laid to rest among his Salesian brothers in the cemetery at Ship Lane, Farnborough on the 8th September 2016.

Father, whose mercy knows no limit, you have promised unending happiness to those who seek first the kingdom of heaven. We ask you to take to yourself our deceased brother, Bill, who spent his life in the service of the Gospel, following the way marked out by St John Bosco; grant that he may enjoy forever the vision of your face and that we may continue faithfully on our pilgrimage. Amen.

Fr Kieran Anderson SDB

Fr Patrick Gillen, affectionately known as 'Paddy' by both his family and Salesian confreres, was born in Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland on the 26th March 1927. His parents, Charles and Mary Gillen, had Paddy baptised the next day. Fr A McKinley, the Parish Priest of the area in which the family lived until 1943 described Charles and Mary as "excellent catholics who are well respected by all who know them." They had 13 children, six sons and seven daughters, one of whom, Mary, subsequently became a member of the Irish Province of the Salesian Sisters. Commenting on Paddy, Fr McKinley wrote: ''I don't know the boy, but I made enquiries about him from the principal teacher of the boys' school and he informed me that he was a very good, quiet, religious boy and of excellent character. "

Fr Paddy first met the Salesians when he went as a pupil to the Salesian School in Pallaskenry, County Limerick. After four years at Pallaskenry Paddy moved to the Salesian School in Ballinakill in County Laois to complete his aspirantate and his secondary school studies. In September 1946 he travelled to England to start his novitiate at Beckford. Paddy made his first profession on 8th September 1947. After two years of philosophical studies at Shrigley Park, Paddy travelled out to Malta to begin a three year period of practical training at St Patrick's School, Sliema. Life on the island of Malta in the immediate post war period must have been very demanding but at the end of his practical training at St Patrick's Paddy applied to take his final vows. In his comments on Paddy's application for final vows the Rector of the St Patrick's community, Fr P McLaughlin, wrote: "Br Patrick has shown himself obedient and careful in fulfilling his obligations as a Religious and carries out his duties to the boys faithfully."

Paddy made his perpetual profession at St Patrick's School on 24th May 1952, the feast of Mary, Help of Christians. He travelled back to England later in the summer of 1952 to begin his study of theology. After one year of study at the Salesian House in Beckford he moved with his fellow students to the new theologate at Melchet Court where he completed a further three years of theological studies and was ordained a priest on 8th July 1956.

Immediately after his ordination Paddy joined the teaching staff of the Salesian Institute, Cape Town. He described his five years in South Africa as extremely educational and enjoyable. In a letter he wrote from Cape Town in 1961 when he was preparing to return to the UK to gain a teaching qualification, Paddy gave the following detailed answer to a request for information about his previous teaching experience: ''My teaching began in Malta where I taught English, early English History, Geography, Maths and Singing. In the sports section I have coached and played soccer. In the past three years I have been teaching Maths and Junior Certificate Science. I have also been Bandmaster of a military band for the past three years. I play the violin, trumpet, euphonium and horn fairly well, with a working knowledge of saxophone, clarinet, piano accordion, bass trombone, in other words, the usual band instruments. I do photography as a hobby - including developing and printing, but haven't taught this as a subject yet." Paddy was more than ready to use his gifts for the benefit of those entrusted to his care.

Between 1961 and 1962 Paddy studied for his Teaching Certificate in London. Having gained his certificate he spent a further three years in Battersea as a member of the teaching staff of the Salesian College. In 1965 Paddy returned to Ireland where he joined teaching staff at Pallaskenry, his former school. Three years later in 1968 Paddy travelled back to England where he joined the Farnborough community and the teaching staff of the Salesian College there. Paddy was to stay at Farnborough for the next 23 years, serving first as a teacher of English and Woodwork, his great love, and then for 10 years as community and College bursar.

In 1991, as he was approaching retirement age, Paddy was invited to join the Chertsey community. He spent 4 years working as a curate in St Anne's parish, Chertsey, before taking on the role of parish priest at the Holy Trinity Church, Church Crookham. Paddy had 14 very happy and fulfilling years as parish priest living in the presbytery at Church Crookham and attached to the Farnborough community. He was at his happiest when sharing with the members of the parish the many social events held in the parish hall. In 2009 Paddy made the decision to retire to St John Bosco House, Farnborough. By then Parkinson's Disease was making rapid progress, reducing Paddy's mobility and making interpersonal communication increasingly difficult. Gone were the days of the gifted band master, the skilled woodwork teacher and the motor cycling enthusiast. Paddy accepted his limitations with great patience. Until just a couple of years before his death he continued to enjoy holidays back home at the family farm in Norther Ireland with the members of his family. His sense of humour never left him. He enjoyed the give and take of community life and the company of others until his deteriorating condition made it necessary for him to move into the Manor Place nursing home in Aldershot. He was there only a very short time before his death on 20th January 2016.

During the homily that he preached at Fr Paddy's Funeral Mass in the Church of Our Lady Help of Christians, Farnborough, Fr Martin Coyle, the Provincial, commented on his spirit of service. "Whether teacher, bursar or parish priest, Paddy's ministry was characterised by a life of humble service after the example of Jesus... As a teacher for many years and as a preacher and parish priest too, many benefitted from Fr Paddy's ministry, very probably in ways he never knew."

In response to a request from the editor of the Holy Trinity parish magazine to write his own obituary Paddy sent this reply: "Into the darkness and warmth of the earth we lay you down. Into the sadness and smiles of our memories we lay you down. Into the cycle of living and dying and rising again we lay you down. May you rest in peace, in fulfilment, in loving. May you run straight home into God's embrace."

As a province we give thanks for Fr Paddy's life of service and his Salesian and priestly ministry and we ask him to continue to accompany us with his prayers. May he rest in peace.

Local parish registers record Fr Tom Dunne as born on 25 November 1929 in New Ross, Co. Wexford. His father Michael (a solicitor's clerk) and his mother Anastasia (née Murphy) had him baptised the next day in the local parish church. Tom was the eldest of six children, two of whom survive him, Kieran (now living in Great Yarmouth) and Betty (living in Wexford). Tom was confirmed in the faith at the age of 12 by Dr James Stauton, Bishop of Ferns, in the local Church of the Immaculate Conception on 31 May 1942.

Tom emtered the Salesian Missionary College in Ballinakill in 1947 with Fr Patrick Molloy as Rector. In Tom's third year as an aspirant, Heywood House burned down on the Feast of St John Bosco on 31 January 1950. Massive slabs and burning rafters crashed onto the beds in the boys central dormitory. Fortunately the boys were in the concert hall and an appalling tragedy was averted. Later that same Holy Year 1950, he began his novitiate with sixteen others in Beckford on 7 September.

Tom did his studies of philosophy in Shrigley (1951-52) and Ingersley (1952-53) after which he did four years of practical training in Farnborough. Tom's perpetual vows were received by the late Fr Harold Wrangham.

He began his theology studies in 1957 in Melchet Court. Fellow Wexford man Fr Michael Scott relates how Tom was a pretty good Irish dancer. He would organise four-hand and eight-hand reels for concerts and academies and involve Dan Crowley, Harry O'Brien, Charlie Cunningham, Larry McDonnell, Paddy Morrin and Hugh McHugh, with their green ties and stockings and yellow bellybands!

Tom's family were present for the happy occasion of his ordination as a Salesian priest in Melchet Court on 2 July 1961.

After ordination Tom was back in Ireland and taught in Pallaskenry until 1964 when he moved to Crumlin to do a B.A. in English, Geolgraphy and History at University College Dublin. During his time in UCD, Tom's health collapsed. He was sent to England and was meant to be recuperating. Tom's own comment on that period, written in his own hand in his personal file was: 'Period of rrst! - spent working in an approved school 1966-67, and teaching in Farnborough 1967-68.

He returned to Ballinakill Juniorate in 1968, where he had begun his Salesian journey, and was renowned for the extreme care he took of the Geography room. The room was so clean it was said you copuld eat your dinner off the floor! During this period in Ballinakill, he was involved in a car accident with three other Salesians on their way to a province meeting in Maynooth during very frosty January weather - thankfully all survived.

After his time in Ballinakill, Tom was transferred to Salesian College Celbridge where he taught for two years (1990-92) and then became bursar in Crumlin where he served for the next seven years. During the 1990s Tom would go on summer parish supplu to St Patrick's Parish in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn where he is well and affectionately remembered.

In 1999, he was appointed as Provincial Secretary. It was a work he performed with dedication and discretion, his desk ever tidy and his programme followed with gentle discipline. Part of his job was that of Provincial Archivist and he assiduously preserved documents and materials that will provide a precious resource for future historians.

2013 saw Tom' health begin to decline, and he spent much of the next two years in the Mater Private Hospital. His confrere Fr Tom Clowe recalled mornings when Tom's reply to being asked around 10 o'clock how he was feeling, was, "It's too early to tell!"

After a period of palliative care in Crumlin, Tom spent a period of respite in St Gabriel's Ward in Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross.

Taking a turn for the worse on New Year's night, Tom quietly took his leave on the first feast of Our Lady in 2016, to join the Lord he had served so faithfully in the educational and pastoral mission of Don Bosco for young people.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal!

Fr Patrick Egan SDB

Fr Hugh O'Sullivan was born on 9th December 1929, a day after the Marian feast of the Immaculate Conception. Hugh's parents and his two brothers and five sisters, two of whom later became Religious Sisters, lived in the small hamlet of Currans in County Kerry.

During Hugh's childhood Ireland still suffered from the aftermath of the Troubles and the terrible shortages of the Emergency conditions of the Second World War. As a youngster he loved Gaelic football and also triumphed in the Currans' Village Sports and developed a fine singing voice like his father.

Hugh used to cycle each day with his friend to the Christian Brothers' secondary school in Tralee, an 18 mile round trip. After a couple of years at the Brothers' school, where, according to the Principal, he was "in every way satisfactory', Hugh expressed the wish to become a Salesian priest. A letter written in September 1945 by Sister Mary Anthony of the Convent of Mercy, Tralee, to the Rector of the Salesian Aspirantate in Pallaskenry, begins: ''/ am writing on behalf of a very clever and respectable boy, but alas! a very poor boy, Hugh O'Sullivan, who is anxious to become a Salesian priest, if God spares him and if all is well in the future... I know the family very well and I can say that their intelligence, general good breeding surpasses those of better circumstances, in many cases, for they are truly Christian and Catholic." Hugh was duly accepted as a student at Pallaskenry.

After four years of secondary studies, first at Pallaskenry and then at Ballinakill, Hugh applied for admission to the Salesian novitiate. Fr P Molloy, the Rector of the Ballinakill community at the time, wrote on the form accompanying Hugh's application: "His conduct has been exemplary and he has made good progress in his studies while he excelled in practical work. "

Hugh travelled to England in the late summer of 1949 to begin his year as a novice at the Salesian novitiate in Beckford. He made his first profession a year later on 8th September 1950. Two years of philosophical studies followed at Shrigley Hall at the end of which Hugh travelled out to Malta. He was to spend four years on the staff of St Patrick's School, Sliema, as a teacher and assistant. It must have been a challenging and demanding assignment, but it confirmed Hugh in the choice of his vocation. In September 1956 Hugh returned to the UK to begin his theological studies at Melchet Court. He made his perpetual profession on 8th December 1956 and four years later, on 3rd July 1960 Hugh was ordained priest. In his letter requesting priestly ordination Hugh wrote: "This petition, which I freely and willingly make, I am placing in the hands of Mary, Help of Christians, confident that she will grant me all the graces necessary for such a sacred office. " Now that Hugh's life has ended there can be little doubt that his prayer was heard. It was during his years teaching at Battersea that Hugh became the first SDB delegate to the newly established ADMA [Association of Mary Help of Christians] group in north London.

Immediately after his ordination Hugh returned to St Patrick's School, Malta. As headmaster he had particular responsibility for the classes in English, Maths and Religious Education. In 1963 Hugh left Malta and returned to England. After a year on the staff at Blaisdon Hugh moved to Chertsey from where he travelled to St Mary's College, Twickenham each day to complete his studies for the teacher's certificate. Once qualified, Hugh was appointed to the teaching staff at Battersea. Apart from a three year period as headmaster at Shrigley between 1974 and 1977, Hugh spent his entire teaching career at Salesian College, Battersea, where he was, at different times, deputy head of the Lower School, Catechist and Vice Rector. It was during Hugh's years at Battersea that the change from a small selective grammar school to the rough and tumble of an inner city comprehensive occurred - a challenging and demanding time for the staff involved.

In his early 60s as the end of the teaching career approached, Hugh accepted a new mission. In September 1992 he moved to Chertsey as assistant priest at St Anne's parish. Among Hugh's new responsibilities was the RC chaplaincy at St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey. In his homily at the Requiem Mass for Hugh in St Anne's Church before his body was flown to County Kerry for burial Fr John Dickson included this perceptive reflection: "St Peter's Hospital was where Hugh really found his metier. His dedication and kindness touched the lives of so many patients and staff. In those private interviews and prayers for those who were sick or sad or depressed Hugh dedicated himself with great perseverance and gentle persistence. Even when he himself was a patient, he could be found in his dressing gown going around praying and ministering to the other patients in his ward. Fr Hugh loved his work at St Peter's and was blessed to enjoy being part of an ecumenical chaplaincy led by the Reverend Judith Allford for whom Hugh had the greatest esteem. " It was fitting that the Reverend Judith was present in the sanctuary for the Requiem Mass celebrated at St Anne's Church in thanksgiving for Hugh's life and ministry.

Hugh eventually found the pace of work at Chertsey too much. In 2000 after eight very successful years in Chertsey Hugh responded to a request from the Benedictine Sisters of Our Lady of Grace and Compassion for a residential chaplain at their nursing home at Preston Park near Brighton. There Hugh successfully carried out the ministry of chaplain to the Sisters and residents for ten years. However the onset of dementia meant that Hugh could no longer receive the care he needed at Preston Park. In 2011 the Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart at St Augustine's Home in Addlestone near Chertsey generously accepted Hugh as a patient. It was there, after four years in the compassionate and sensitive care of the Sisters and their staff and with the spiritual support of his Salesian confreres that Hugh died very peacefully on 26th October 2015. His time of waiting had finally come to an end. The good Master who said, "Come to me all you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest," had finally called Hugh to himself. His life of quiet, dedicated service had come to a close. May he now experience that fullness of life and joy that the good Master has promised to all those who serve him faithfully.

Peter Lawrence Doherty was born to John and Ellen Anne Doherty on the 15th May 1930, in County Donegal, Northern Ireland.

He went to the Salesian Missionary College at Shrigley, before entering the novitiate at Beckford, where he was professed on the 8th September 1950. After philosophy in Beckford, he did his practical training in Ballinakill, during which time he completed a BA (Hons) in History, before going to the Rebaudengo in Turin for Theology. He was an excellent student and after completing his STL, he was ordained on the 11th February 1961. Peter then went to Rome for a further year to obtain a Batchelor's degree in Canon Law at the PAS.

In 1962 he went to teach in Pallaskenry for a year and then to Ballinakill for three years. In 1966 he volunteered to teach in Salesian High School in Manzini, Swaziland, where he was to remain almost entirely for the rest of his life. He spent the year 1980 doing a Missiology course in Rome and 2008 and 2009 helping in formation in Ennerdale and Maputsoe.

Peter never described himself as a teacher, but an educator. In his mind a teacher stuffed information into young people's minds, information to be regurgitated for future examinations; the educator drew information from the fertile minds of the youth. He saw his teaching as student centred, its aim as liberation, power. It was also the necessary vehicle for the 'Word', the powerful word of God. "For Peter," wrote his long-time colleague, Fr Larry McDonnell, "education must produce, not just business managers, but social leaders. Education was never an instrument of control of young minds but a liberating force. It was selective in its topics but holistic." Peter was very much at home with the disciplined life of young Swazi youth and gained a great reputation as a teacher of English, as well as a shy, restrained, but focussed servant of the Lord in his ministry to the people of God, particularly at Big Bend and Kwaluseni.

Peter was happy to vcelebrate his Golden Jubilee of ordination in 2011. His funeral Mass, in a packed Cathedral in Manzini, saw many past pupils, priests, religious sisters and friends who came to pay honour and tribute to this humble Irish missionary, whom they had come to love and respect during his forty seven years of service in Swaziland.

He was 85 years old.

"If I had to do it again, I would still become a Salesian" - Fr Frank's last Salesian Goodnight on the 5th June, 2015.

Fr Francis Clifton (better known as Frank) was born at Farnborough , Hants on October 13, 1935. He was the son of Francis and Vera Clifton. He was the second eldest of eight children. Francis first got to know the Salesians in September 1944 when he entered the Salesian College in Farnborough. From that time on, Francis fell in love with the Salesian way of life and he remained with the Salesians ever since.

His love for cycling began during his time as a student at the college due to the fact that he had to cycle twelve miles a day to get to and from school. Francis was always very keen on sport, rushing back and forth to school to play football, organising cricket matches and often getting his younger siblings out of bed at the crack of dawn to train. Each and every year Francis shone at the annunal Salesian Sports Day.

After two years of Aspirantate at Shrigley, he started his novitiate in Burwash on September 8, 1954 and subsequently made his first profession the following September.

After completing his Philosophical studies in Ingersley and Beckford, Francis started his practical training in his hometown Farnborough. After two years of teaching and youth animation, Francis left to Melchet Court for one year to start his theological studies. he then completeed his three remaining years of studies in Messina, Sicily. It was during this stay that Francis encountered the Salesians in Malta during his summer placements.

On the feast of St Jospeh, on March 19, 1965, Francis was ordained a priest. After his ordination, he was sent to teach at the Salesian College in Cowley - which closed in 1970. During this time he was sent to Malta arriving in August 1970.

He joined the St Patrick's community in Sliema. During this time, he was a teacher and care worker; but also contributed a great deal in the field of sports, particularly through his initiative in founding a cycling club. One of his greatest achievements at this time was a marathon which he completed with four senior boys (200 miles of cycling a day!)

In Seotember 1989, Frank joined the Savio College community in Dingli. He taught at the schoolk for 11 years. Even here, Fr Frank continued with his passion to evangelise young people through sport. He founded the savio Athletics Club in 1990 and later on he also created the Dingli 10 - a 10 mile race in the limits of Dingli.

Fr Frank's life was a life characterised with joy, optimism and complete dedication to the formation of young people. He created numerious occasions to award young athletes and acknowledge their achievements.

"All of us old-school savio athletes have boxes full of medals, trophies and photos of us running which he gave us on many occasions, and he never asked for a penny. he believed in positive reinforcement. he very rarely raised his voice to control us, and still he somehow used to manage more than 20 young athletes at the same time. And somehow, we still managed to learn and have fun every single time. This is one of the many traits that made Fr Frank Clifton a coach, a mentor, a founder, and most of all, a friend!."

From 1997 to 2013, during the summer months, Fr Frank would offer his energy and service to the parishioners of the Our Lady & St Dominic Church in Cove. Apart from celebrating the morning Mass he regularly visited the elderly and sick. Fr Frank was able to win the hearts of many parishioners who described him as "a kind, caring, calm, gentle and non-assuming man, who would always talk to people."

After being admitted to hospital on June9, 2015 due to breathing problems, Fr Frank suddenly died on June 10 due to a hreart attack. He will never be forgotten by his brothers and sisters John, Michael, David, Rose-Mary, Bernadette, Christoher and their families, the family of his late sister Veronica, the Salesian family of Malta, Ireland and England, relatives, past pupils and friends.

Fr Louis Grech SDB

Fr Peter had been in good spirits at lunch with his community on Monday 18 May 2015. Next morning he was found dead in his room in Crumlin, Dublin. His sudden death was a blow and a surprise that left his family, Salesian confreres, the parishioners of St Agnes' Church and his wide circle of friends reeling. There was a great outpouring of affection amidst the shock and sorrow, the grief and tears genuinely felt for the loss of a good man, a gentle man, a man whose cheerfulness lifted spirits and drew friendship in return.

Mary Duffy, a parishioner of Crumlin, phoned her condolences to the community commenting, "He's lovely. I loved him. Whenever he said a few words at Mass, they didn't come from a book but straight from his heart. There's another saint now in the Salesians!"

Hailing from Curragh, Geashill, Co Offaly, Peter was second in a family of one sister, Rita, and two brothers Seán and Joe. His parents John and Dina (neé Callaghan) had Peter baptised on 16 April 1939 in the Church of Raheen three days after he was born.

Of good health as a child, he passed his primary schooling in his home town. His brother Sean said of Peter that "he lived life to the full, and did well anything he put his hand to. He was great at laying and picking spuds, on the bog, saving hay, and was a lovely footballer. But he wasn't into golf!" Sean related how in school, the master used to light a fire in the classroom, and to get it started he would use some petrol from a can in the room. On one occasion, when Peter was asked to get the fire going, he threw the whole can of petrol on the fire and set off a huge blaze behind the master!

Spurred on by Mrs Guinan, a sponsor of Salesian vocations, to follow his inclination to being a priest, at the age of 13 he came to know Don Bosco intimately after entering the Salesian College in Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick, in 1952. Peter himself recalled how each feast of Don Bosco, the students in Pallaskenry watched the old black and white film of Don Bosco and never grew tired of it. In fact, Peter had a prolific memory and in poetic tones could recite word for word passages from the film to perfection, including the final scene in which "the solemn tolling of the death knell changes to joyous tones as the bells of St Peter's in Rome ring out on Easter Sunday 1934" (or words to that effect!), the day Pius XI declared Don Bosco a canonised Saint. There were many episodes from that life of Don Bosco that Peter could recount, much to the surprise and enjoyment of his fellow Salesians.

Peter was most likely the first Offaly man to become a Salesian of Don Bosco when in August of 1957 he entered the novitiate of St Joseph's in Burwash, Sussex. His novice master was the renowned Fr James Simonetti. Peter made his first profession at the end of that spiritual year and from that day on, in his heart he was a Salesian. In fact, on one occasion, when asked would he like to be buried at home with his parents, his answer was he preferred to be buried with the Salesians. And for this he chose the community cemetery in Warrenstown.

As a newly professed son of Don Bosco, Peter headed .from Burwash to Beckford, Tewkesbury (Glos.) where he pursued GCE 'A' levels in English and History while doing the required philosophical studies as well. His journey then took him in 1961 to Hong Kong where he did his practical training and made his final vows as a Salesian. He did his theology in Bollengo (Italy) 1964-68, being ordained priest in Warrenstown College chapel on 29 June 1968. Shortly after his ordination, Peter returned to Hong Kong (Tang King Po School and Yuet Wah College) for 11 more years.

In 1979, Peter returned to Dublin. After a renewal course in Theology in Maynooth, he fulfilled the role of Bursar, first in Salesian College, Ballinakill and then in Warrenstoen.

1984 saw Peter move back to Maynooth, and he was appointed chaplain to St Laurence's Industrial School in Finglas. He worked there until 1991, one of the happiest periods of his life spent with young people who had been sorely disadvantaged and who were being looked after by the De La Salle Brothers. Staff who worked in St Laurence's spoke with great affection of Peter and how many a time he would take a group of difficult boys off their hands and charm the lads with his laid back-approach, much to everybody's satisfaction.

After a sabbatical year (1991-92) of leadership training at the Institute of St Anselm in Kenty, Peter became chaplain to the Warrenstown Agricultural and Horticulture College until 2001.

Peter enjoyed parish work in California for one year, and was appointed curate (2002) and eventually co-parish priest in St Agnes' Church, Crumlin where he worked until retirement in 2013.

May he rest in peace.

Fr Pat Egan SDB

Fr Albert Carette was born in Nottingham on 12th October 1919. He had an older half-brother, Harry Gilman, and a younger sister, Gabrielle. Albert's mother, Ethel, had married Remi Carette, a Belgian, after the death of her first husband, Harry's father, in 1916. When Albert was three years old his parents and their three children went to live in Courtrai, Belgium. Albert completed his primary schooling and first year of secondary education in Courtrai. His half-brother Harry had travelled to Cowley, Oxford, in the early 1920s to complete his secondary education with the Salesian community there and later take his first vows as a Salesian in 1929. This is probably why Albert himself travelled to England in 1932 to finish his secondary education and complete his aspirantate at the Salesian Missionary College at Shrigley Park. (Harry later left the Salesians and joined the archdiocese of Melbourne where he died in the early 1960s.)

In 1933 Albert was one of three Shrigley boys who caught diphtheria. One, Daniel McAfee, died in Macclesfield Hospital. Albert remembered looking out of the room in which he had been isolated as Daniel's coffin was brought into the Shrigley chapel and wondering whether he would soon be following Daniel, but Albert and the other patient, Francis Drohan, recovered. In fact, both lived into their nineties, Albert as a member of the British Province and Francis as a Salesian missionary working for more than 70 years in Japan. A picture in the Shrigley archives shows Albert standing behind Johnny Hoey as he dug the first sod on the site of the new church on 1st April 1934. Shrigley would always have a special place in Albert's affections and when the Shrigley Past Pupils regrouped as the Shrigley Association in the late 1990s, Albert became their much-loved President.

When Albert applied to enter the novitiate his rector, Fr Thomas Hall, wrote of him: This boy has all the qualities necessary for the religious life: good health; distinctive ability; good, open character; deep, sincere piety. It was an accurate assessment. Albert made his first vows on 31st August 1938 after completing his novitiate year at Beckford. Two years study of philosophy first at Cowley then at Shrigley followed. Albert stayed on at Shrigley for two years practical training. In 1943 he returned to Cowley to begin his study of theology while also being on the teaching staff there. He moved to Blaisdon in 1945 for a further two years of theological studies. Fr Hall was his rector when Albert applied for ordination to the priesthood. Again his comment on Albert's character is perceptive: A very excellent religious: of cheerful and docile disposition. He contributes much to the happiness of this House.

After his ordination on 20th July 1947 Albert moved to Battersea where he taught Religion, Maths and Art for five years. He moved to Shrigley in 1952 and worked there first as teacher and catechist, and then as bursar. This was a role Albert excelled in. Nothing gave him greater pleasure and satisfaction than to care in a very practical way for his fellow Salesians and the boys entrusted to their care. His former pupils recall his winning smile, his kindness and good humour, and his helpfulness. They also remember his wonderful Christmas cribs, with small ponds and clever mirror work that gave added depth to the little town of Bethlehem. Albert was also responsible for doing the makeup for the many school plays that were a feature of the Christmas holidays and feast days at Shrigley. Further appointments as community bursar followed for Albert at Battersea, Bolton and Bootle.

In 1966 Albert became rector of the recently established community at Bootle, a role he successfully combined with that of leader of the youth club for the last four years of his six year term as rector. The year 1972 saw a radical change of ministry for Albert. He was appointed parish priest of the Sacred Heart parish, Battersea. It was a ministry that he was to carry out with devotion and great enthusiasm for 15 years. His warmth and cheerfulness rapidly won him the esteem and affection of his parishioners. They recognised in him a pastor in the mould of the Good Shepherd. A great PP and a good friend to us all, was how one parishioner described Albert. He was loved by the primary school children and the Salesian Sisters who taught in the school.

In 1987 he returned to Bootle where he was to spend another 14 years as bursar of the community and one further year as rector after the untimely death of Fr John Kavanagh. After the transfer of the community from Netherton Way to St James, Albert had a lot to do with the home-making that gained the Bootle community its reputation for hospitality. At the age of 81 years Albert made the decision to retire to St Joseph's. He was still full of life and fun and made the most of his retirement. In St Joseph's he was able to devote much of his time to the painting of icons and religious pictures, a pastime that had always been an outlet for his considerable artistic abilities. Many places and people benefitted from his talent as a copyist; his icons became a favourite present for special occasions and important visitors.

When in his early 90s Albert's memory and attention began to fail he gave up his painting. Among the items in his room at St Joseph's when he died was an unfinished painting of his patron, St Albert the Great. There is a sentence in Paul's letter to the Ephesians that reminds us that: We are God's handiwork, [his work of art], created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. [Eph 2:10] Only the Almighty can bring his masterpiece to completion through a gradual process of letting go. A serious fall in autumn 2014 resulted in Albert's having to spend time first in hospital and then in an intermediate care facility. On Christmas Eve 2014 he moved into St Joseph's Nursing Home, Plymouth Grove, where the Little Sisters of the Poor and their staff did all they could to help him feel at home. But Albert missed his Salesian community very much and found it difficult to settle into his new surroundings. The truth is that after a long and very active life Albert was tired and ready to meet the Lord when his call came. The Lord didn't disappoint him; Albert died very peacefully in the early evening of Tuesday 10th March.

In the homily that Albert preached at the Golden Jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving for two of his good friends, Fr Pat McGrath and Fr Jim Pilling he told the following story. God, when creating the various trees, gave them all a test over a period of seven nights. They were to keep an eye on what God had already created to see that no harm came to it. For various reasons, not all the trees passed the test. Some did like the cedar and the pine, the spruce and the fir, the holly and the laurel. 'What wonderful endurance you have shown,' God exclaimed, at the end of the test. 'You will be given the gift of remaining green and full of life for ever.' Albert added this postscript: Isn't that the same gift that God has given to our jubilarians, that spirit of endurance and perseverance over fifty years of fruitful ministry in which they have 'acted justly, loved tenderly and walked humbly with their God'. How well that postscript describes Albert's own life and ministry. He accepted the gift of life and lived it to the full, lived it with childlike wonder, awe and gratitude.

May he rest in peace!

Fr George Robson died in the early hours of Friday 6th February at St Joseph's, the residence for elderly and infirm Salesians in Bolton. George, who had been a resident at St Joseph's from January 2014, was the first Salesian to die there since its opening in 1998.

George was born in Wigan on 15th August 1934, the Feast of the Assumption. The Robsons were a devout Catholic family who regularly attended St John's Church, Standishgate. It was there that George was baptised, made his First Communion and received the sacrament of Confirmation. At the age of 11 years George began his secondary education at Thornleigh College, Bolton, but at the end of his third year in summer 1948 he chose to move to the Salesian Missionary College, Shrigley Park, to complete his secondary studies and. prepare for his entry into the Salesian novitiate at Burwash in summer 1951. George made his first profession on 8th September 1952.

After two years of philosophical studies at Bollington George returned to Shrigley as a teacher and assistant in summer 1954. Two years later he moved south to Battersea and joined the community as a member of the teaching staff while also following a part-time course at Norwood College of Technology for his BSc degree. George made his perpetual profession in Battersea on 8th September 1958. A year later he began his theological studies at Melchet Court in Hampshire. The closure of Melchet Court in summer 1962 made it necessary for George and several of his fellow students from the British Province to transfer to the Salesian Theologate at Bollengo in north Italy to complete their study of theology. George had the privilege of being ordained priest in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians on 25th March 1963, the Feast of the Annunciation.

After his ordination George returned to Battersea to continue his studies in science. He received an honours degree in physics from the University of Surrey in July 1966. Having gained this new qualification George moved to Bootle where he taught physics at the Salesian College for the next four years. In summer 1970 George joined the Shrigley community as a teacher. During the homily he preached at George's Funeral Mass, Fr Martin Coyle, the Provincial, recalled his time as a student at Shrigley when he first got to know George and commented that the fact that he passed his O level physics exam was a real testament to his skill as a teacher. In 1974 George took on the roles of community bursar and vice-rector at Shrigley while generously sharing with the school community his many gifts, being at different times on the playing fields an athletics coach, on the stage an actor, singer and dancer, a choir member, a gardener, cook and a double bass player - to name but a few.

In 1981 George moved to Blaisdon as rector, a ministry he fulfilled among the Salesian community and boys, the volunteers and past pupils, with dedication and cheerfulness. It was at the end of his six years at Blaisdon that George first moved into parish ministry. He was appointed parish priest of St Gregory's, Bollington. Although he was only in the parish for four years, between 1987 and 1991, George made a deep impression on all those who met him. He made time to join the Bollington Festival Choir. This helped build good and strong relationships with the members of neighbouring churches and all those involved in village life.

From Bollington George moved to St Dominic's parish, Huyton as parish priest. He was to stay there for the next 20 years. In his funeral homily the Provincial observed that George had that rare gift of being able to meet people where they were on their journey, their journey in life and their journey of faith. He listened to their story, shared their lives. In Huyton he engaged with the local people, young and old, wherever he met them - at the church door, in the parish club, on the street, or in the schools during his frequent visits. The people knew that he loved them and had their best interests at heart.

From his arrival in Huyton George took an enthusiastic part in various projects to improve the quality of life for the people of the local area. He agreed to be the Chair, first of the Shadow Board that achieved the acceptance of the Community Plan for the area, and then of the Board of North Huyton New Deal New Future [NHNDNF]. His commitment to the people of Huyton was recognised by the award of the MBE in the 2010 New Years honours list. The citation read: The Reverend Father George Edward ROBSON Chairman, North Huyton New Deal for Communities Board. For services to the community in Merseyside.

In early 2011 George expressed the wish to 'move on'. He had completed some treatment for cancer in his foot and although he was approaching his 77th birthday, he was ready for a change. Fr Provincial recalled in his funeral homily that when he suggested to George that he might consider meeting a need at St Benedict's parish in Easterhouse, Glasgow, George laughed and explained that it wasn't a place that was on his 'list'. But he had no hesitation in adding: 'If that is where you need me and that is where you want me to go, then I am happy to go there'. It was another example of George's openness, his availability, his willingness to trust in the judgement of his religious superiors.

George had two very good years in Easterhouse where once again he entered fully into the life of the parish community and won the respect and admiration of everyone. However, his physical health had continued to deteriorate. The cancer had reduced his mobility and in January 2014 George agreed to move to St Joseph's. There he took a full part in community life and contributed very positively by his cheerfulness and patience. He received excellent care from the staff and from the local medical centre and the district nurses. George also enjoyed the ongoing support of his family and his former parishioners in Huyton.

It was just a few days after George had received news from his consultant that there was nothing more that the medical staff at the Christies Hospital could do to fight the cancer that George died. Despite the pain and discomfort he must have been experiencing George never complained. He bore the cross of his physical suffering with courage and serenity and never lost his sense of humour. George was a good and faithful minister of the Gospel, preaching and teaching, sharing the Good News by what he said and what he did, by who he was and how he lived. The large number of his friends and former parishioners who attended George's funeral testified to the fruitfulness of his ministry as a Salesian priest. He is now enjoying the rewards of his labours.

May he rest in peace!

Fr John Booth died peacefully at Nazareth House, Prestwich, Manchester on 7th January 2015, a couple of months before his 90th birthday. John Michael Booth but he was always known as Michael by his immediate family-was born on 13th March 1925 at Snettisham, Norfolk. When still a small child John and his parents moved to Sutton in Surrey. At the age of 12 John received permission from his father, a non-Catholic, to become a Catholic as his mother had done a short time before. John was baptised and later confirmed at St Anselm's Church, Tooting Bec. To avoid the blitz in London John's parents arranged for him to continue his secondary school studies at Salesian College, Farnborough, as a boarder. During his time there, John decided that God was calling him to become a Salesian priest. He began his aspirantate at Shrigley in September 1941 and entered the novitiate at Beckford two years later. John made his first profession on 31st August 1944. In a short letter to mark the occasion his mother wrote: Oh my darling, I pray that by his [God's] grace you will always keep the fervour of this day, that you may go from strength to strength trusting only in his might and do his will in all things. John's later Salesian and priestly ministry demonstrated the efficacy of his mother's prayer.

At the start of his two years of philosophical studies at Shrigley, John received the tonsure, thus avoiding conscription into the armed forces. In 1946 John travelled south to Burwash to begin three years of practical training at the Salesian preparatory school there. From Burwash, John moved to Blaisdon in summer 1949 for a further three years of assisting and study. John was greatly impressed by the leadership of Fr Thomas Hall, the rector of the Salesian community at the time, and his way of dealing with the youngsters at the school. "Remember, this is the only home these children have ever had" - These words of Fr Hall remained with John throughout his Salesian life and became the inspiration of his later social work in Bootle.

John obtained his bachelor's degree in science in summer 1953. It was also the summer in which he took his final vows. He subsequently moved to Battersea for a further year, teaching science. In 1954 John travelled to the Salesian theologate at Bollengo in north Italy at the start of a four year course of theological studies. Mastering the Italian language was an initial struggle but John succeeded and went on to profit from the tuition he received. His mother and his cousin, Margaret Foulds, travelled to Italy for his priestly ordination at Bollengo on 1st July 1958.

On his return to England, John, a newly ordained priest, resumed his work as a teacher first at the aspirantate at Shrigley and then in 1961 at the Salesian College, Battersea. John spent the year between 1967 and 1968 at Bolton teaching science before re-joining the staff at Battersea. In 1970 John was asked to become the second headmaster of the recently-founded secondary school at Dingli on the island of Malta. John always spoke with great affection of his three years in Malta: a most enjoyable experience. On his return to England John spent a year on the staff at Thornleigh College, Bolton, before moving to Bootle. He was to spend the next 35 years of his Salesian life in Bootle. For the first few years he continued to teach science at the Salesian comprehensive school on Netherton Way. During this time John always seemed to favour those who might be struggling to learn, to fit in and to cope with life, for whatever reasons. John's work with the young included much outward-bound activity outside school and many Easter and summer holiday excursions to North Wales

At the age of 65 years or thereabouts, after a long and successful teaching career, when he could well have chosen to take things more easily, John made a very courageous decision. While staying in the Bootle area he moved out of the Salesian community residence to an empty house about a mile away. John's hands­-on experience of working with challenging young people together with on-going study had given him the confidence to request permission to open a hostel for older youth who were destitute and homeless. An empty house in Bootle, which had formerly been a hostel for college and university students, was offered to John at a very reasonable rent by the Sisters of Marie Ausiliatrice. This was the beginning of the Bosco House project. In her book, 'We Didn't Reject The Dog', Margaret Foulds, John's cousin, describes how things began:

'How John coped in those early days is really something of a mystery. He shopped, cooked, cleaned, counselled, went to court, visited people in prison, social services, probation officers. He visited all sorts of places and did all sorts of things. He struggled endlessly with financial problems. It was really very, very difficult to make ends meet. Sometimes he wondered how long it would continue but, wonderfully, something always turned up'.

'Booth' and 'Bosco' became synonymous in Bootle. John was the face of Bosco for all those in need. His open­minded, big-hearted and non-judgemental approach allowed him to accept people as they were. It is a wonderful testimony to John's vision and hard work that Bosco House continues to thrive today thanks to the professionalism and commitment of its staff and supporters and the care it provides.

Around the year 2000 John himself parted ways with the Bosco House Management Committee to help set up a new Charity called the 'Needy Young Persons Project[' to provide care for those struggling with addiction and other social problems in the local community. For several years the Charity did much-needed work in the Bootle area but with John's retirement it eventually closed.

By any standard, John's work for the disadvantaged was truly prophetic but, as Jesus reminded the people of Nazareth, it often happens that a prophet is not recognised in his own country or among his own. During his funeral homily of Fr Martin Coyle, the GBR Provincial, commented: John's determination and commitment earned him the admiration and the respect of his fellow Salesians and the people of the local area for what he did, if not always for the way he did it!

In 2009 John finally and somewhat reluctantly agreed that it was time to leave Bootle and move into retirement at St Joseph's, Bolton. It was a time for letting go, a time for saying 'Thank you': thank you to God for all that he had allowed John to achieve, thank you to his Salesian superiors for permitting him to engage in the work for the dispossessed and disadvantaged that he felt so strongly called to do, thank you to his fellow Salesians for a wonderful life.

The last two years of John's life were spent at Nazareth House, Prestwich. There, ever the gentleman, always polite and with a welcoming smile for those who visited him, John waited for what he himself termed 'death's call', when to use his own words, he would be embraced in God's own arms! When that call came, John was more than ready to respond.

May he rest in peace.

Fr. Fonde, much loved and revered by all who came in contact with his gentle self, died in the Karen Grech hospital, Malta, on 4th November 2014 aged 87. Born in Sliema to Richard and Carmen on 24th March 1927, he attended the Sliema Oratory where before going to Shrigley he was the sacristan in the Oratory chapel. His first school was the St. Alphonsus Salesian Primary before moving to the Archbishop's Seminary for his secondary schooling. Joseph went to Shrigley as an aspirant in October 1946 before entering the novitiate at Beckford in September 1948 where he made his first profession a year later.

Bro. Joseph returned to Shrigley for his philosophical studies after which he was assigned as teacher and assistant to St. Patrick's School in Sliema, Malta. He returned to England in 1954 for his theological studies at Melchet Court, Hampshire,where he was ordained priest on 13th July 1958. Fr. Joe returned to Malta to serve as Catechist at St. Patrick's until 1965 when his presence on the Island was interrupted for a year when he was Socius to the Novice Master at Burwash, Sussex. He returned to Malta this time as catechist at St. Alphonsus for the school year 1966 -1967. He was then again on the move, this time to Warrenstown in Ireland where he served the first of his many terms in different houses as community bursar. 1968 - 1969 found Fr. Fonde at Pedara in Sicily before he returned to Malta, first of all to Sliema and then in 1971 as Rector at Savio College, Dingli until 1976. Fr. Joe was then appointed as Director of the Salesian Oratory in Sliema and subsequently once again catechist at St. Patrick's.

Before leaving for Swaziland in 1989 he spent another two years at Savio College as bursar. Fr. Fonde spent the next twenty-six years in Southern Africa (AFM) where he was bursar in Swaziland and houses in South Africa. He returned to the Irish Province and St. Patrick's School in 2005 where he spent the last years of his life as confessor, assistant to the Church chaplain, and many hours in recreation with the boys in the playground.

Fr. Joe will be remembered fondly and greatly missed by many in Sliema whom he visited to bring Holy Communion and words of comfort on a daily basis. His funeral was celebrated on 6th November in the St. Gregory Sliema parish church whence he was taken to be interred in the Salesian grave at the Addolorata Cemetery.

May he rest in peace.

Fr Michael Lindsay died peacefully during the evening of 3rd November 2014 in his room at St Joseph's, the nursing home for the elderly run by the Little Sisters of the Poor in south Manchester where he had received excellent care for a period of almost two years.

Michael's life had begun almost 93 years earlier in Rathmines in south Dublin. His parents, James and Eileen, had 14 children, 12 of whom survived to adulthood, 6 boys and 6 girls. Growing up in such a large family must have been quite a challenge at times, but the faith of his parents and siblings prepared Michael to respond generously to the call he experienced at a young age to become a Priest. He was not the only member of his family to receive such a call to radical discipleship; one of his brothers became a Holy Ghost Priest and his sister, Veronica, became a Salesian Sister.

After five years at the Christian Brothers' School in Synge Street, Dublin, Michael made the brave decision at 13 years of age in the summer of 1935 to travel to Shrigley Park, Cheshire, to continue his secondary education at the Salesian Missionary College. Four years later in 1939 Michael applied and was accepted for the novitiate and after 12 months in Beckford, Michael made his first vows as a Salesian in September 1940. He returned to Shrigley for three years' study of philosophy. In the summer of 1943 Michael moved to Bolton where he spent the next three years on the staff of Thornleigh College as a teacher and assistant. A fourth year of practical training followed in Battersee at the end of which Michael applied successfully for permission to make his perpetual profession. Fr Sutherland, the Rector of the Battersea community, wrote this assessment of Michael:

"The members of the House Council have found this candidate most regular at his spiritual duties and he has been most amenable to the correction of small faults. He has been most conscientious in carrying out his work as teacher and assistant."

Michael returned to Shrigley for his first year of theological studies. Two more years of theology followed at Blaisdon Hall in Gloucestershire. For his final year of theology Michael was fortunate to have the opportunity to study at the Salesian theologate in Lyons. He returned to England for his priestly ordination at Blaisdon Hall on 15th July 1951. After his ordination, Michael returned to Shrigley where he was to spend seven years teaching French and Latin and fulfilling the role of Sports Master. As a very good footballer it was a role he particularly enjoyed. In 1958 the retirement of Fr James Simonetti after more than 50 years as Novice Master necessitated the appointment of a successor. Although still only in his late 30s Michael was chosen for this demanding ministry. It proved to be a very wise choice. One of Michael's first group of novices wrote after his death: "I have always been very grateful to the Lord for having had Michael as my Novice Master. Some of us had known Michael as Sports Master at Shrigley and we knew that he was approachable and easy to talk to."

In 1962, after four successful years in charge of the novitiate in Burwash, Michael was asked to return to Ireland to take on the same role as Novice Master at the newly established Irish novitiate at Warrenstown. Once again it proved an excellent appointment. One of his first Irish novices recalls that Michael "was very jolly for a Novice Master and joined in everything." Michael completed four years at the Warrenstown novitiate after which he travelled to Rome for a year's sabbatical at the Salesian University there. At the end of his sabbatical Michael was appointed Rector of the junior aspirantate at Shrigley, a post he held for three years. In 1970 Michael was asked by the Provincial to join the staff at the Salesian High School in Bootle. His new appointment was a demanding one. A Salesian who subsequently joined Michael on the staff at Bootle recalls that when he met him in the summer of 1972 he looked exhausted. Indeed the Provincial had offered him a move but Michael replied, "Leave me here for one more year." During that year Michael got to grips with the situation and for the next eight years he successfully taught Latin and Classics. He was also very involved in extra curricular activities: helping organise weekend trips with the boys and assisting in running the youth club in St Joan's parish. Between 1980 and 1983 Michael exchanged his role as teacher Salesian High School for that of chaplain.

When the Salesians took over responsibility for St Richard's parish in 1983 Michael was ready for a change. He was appointed curate with Fr Pat McCambridge as his Parish Priest. In 1987 Michael moved to St James to assist Fr Kavanagh, the Parish Priest there. Michael and Fr Kavanagh were the first Salesians to move into and live in the presbytery at St James'. They were followed shortly afterwards by the teaching confreres. The first few months were difficult; there was no heating or lighting in the house until December, but the community flourished in its new home.

Michael was to spend the next 17 years as curate at st James. In a summary of his parish ministry that he wrote for the Extraordinary Visitation in 1996, Michael described his work: "helping in the parish with all the usual activities, the sacraments, visiting especially the housebound, the nursing homes and hospitals, visiting the primary school and regularly hearing confession, helping out with the occasional supply. One of his Salesian confreres reflecting on Michael's long Salesian and priestly ministry commented: "I would have to say that for me Michael modelled not just Don Bosco but Christ himself. I don't recall him ever saying 'no'. He was holy, cheerful, regular, a linguist, a team player, good at sport, unbeatable at table tennis."

Michael moved into St Joseph's, Bolton in 2004. Initially he enjoyed the freedom his well-earned retirement gave him, but sadly as the years passed he became more and more confused and his contact with the other members of the community became progressively more difficult. Eventually it was clear that only a nursing home could provide the level of care that Michael needed. But even during his time with the Little Sisters of the Poor in south Manchester, Michael never forgot the simple prayers that he had learnt in childhood and how to give his priestly blessing. The saying, "Once a priest, always a priest," was certainly true of Michael.

May he rest in peace!

Fr Francis Preston SDB