Death of USA Presentation Provincial

Brother Gerard Despathy dies while on sabbatical

Dear Brothers & Friends,

With sadness we announce the untimely death of Brother Gerard Despathy, RIP.

Peter Rémi Despathy was born in Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S.A. on 23 November 1956. He is the son of Robert G. Despathy Sr and Leatrice Dubuc Despathy.

Peter attended St. Christopher School from 1962 to 1970 and Nashua High School from 1970 to 1974. Between 1979 and 1984 he attended Concordia University and McGill University, Montreal, completing a B.A. degree in theological studies and a diploma in education.

Peter was received into the Congregation on 15 August, 1978, taking Brother Gerard as his religious name.

He made first profession of vows on 15 August 1979, and perpetual profession on 15 August 1983.

Brother Gerard served in Longueil, Quebec (1979-80 and 1982-84), Marshall, Missouri (1980-82), Montebello, Quebec (1984-88), Prince George, British Columbia (1988-97), Knoxville, Tennessee (1977-2006), and Kissimmee, Florida (2006-2010). He was Community Leader in Montebello, Prince George, and Knoxville, and Assistant Principal in Montebello.

Following the General Chapter of 2005, he was appointed Province Leader of Our Lady of the Americas Province (OLA – North America/West Indies).

Gerard Despathy fpm

Brother Gerard was a man of deep faith who had a great love for our Presentation way of life. He served the Brothers of the OLA Province with great diligence visiting the communities of a far flung province on numerous occasions. He was a frequent visitor to Ireland for leadership meetings and conferences. He showed a great interest in the growth of the Congregation in Africa and attended the Extended Leadership Meeting in Tamale, Ghana in 2007.

Brother Gerard died after a brief illness on Saturday 27 February while attending a renewal programme at the Sangre De Cristo Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.A.

Our deepest sympathies on their great loss go to his parents, family members, the Brothers of Kissimmee Community, and OLA Province.

At the request of the family, funeral mass and burial will take place in Phoenix, Arizona (probably on Friday 5 March 2010). A memorial Mass will be held at a later date in Holy Redeemer Parish, Kissimmee.

May the Lord receive his gentle soul into the fullness of his life and love.

Prayers and suffrages as indicated in Directory N.24.

With kindest regards and prayerful good wishes.

Martin Kenneally fpm

Congregation Leader: Presentation Brothers

March 2010