Down the Memory Lane – Lasallians Remembered

Brother Raphael Egan belonged to a family with a long association with the Christian Brothers. His mother,Mary Maher, was first cousin of the gentle Brother Gordian Maher. Two of his uncles were members of the Christian Brothers – Brother Gerald Patrick and Brother Justin Declan.

Brother Raphael was born on 3rd December 1918 in County Laois, Ireland. Three days later he was baptized and was given the names Patrick Joseph. He was second in a family of nine. One of his brothers joined the Christian Brothers as well. All five of his sisters became nuns.

The young man left for the Juniorate in Castletown on 17th August 1932. Following his novitiate, he went directly to Faithlegg for two years of Scholasticate. He was then posted to Ardee for some practical experience. In 1939, he went to De La Salle College, Waterford for teacher training. Two years later, he returned to Ardee. After teaching for four years in Ardee, he was sent to Dublin to study for a university degree.

In the late 1940s, La Salle College faced many difficulties. Resources and quality teachers were in short supply in this post-war era. Classrooms were packed with young people hungry for education. By God’s grace, Brother Raphael arrived at La Salle College in 1947 to teach the matriculation class. His students shone in public examinations.

His initial stay with La Salle College was brief. At the age of only 32, he was appointed Principal of St. Joseph’s College, Hong Kong in 1949. The staff and students considered him a great educator. He extended his care to other Brothers, priests and missionaries who were expelled from the Mainland China. He provided shelters and support to these servants of God.

Brother Raphael was recognized as an iron man with a strong body, mind and spirit. Hence in 1958, his former Director of novices, Brother Fintan Blake, selected him to become a member of a 3-man pioneer team to Borneo. Over there, Christian Brothers took over a school, which was situated in a very underdeveloped swampy area. Dogs, ducks, hens and goats roamed freely. The first morning Brother Raphael entered the Teacher Common Room, a hen hopped gracefully onto his desk. The hen laid an egg in front of him and cackled. Everyone present was embarrassed but was soon relieved with laughter as Brother Raphael commented that was the nicest welcoming gesture.

The students were academically weak and many were above average age. With his hard work and determination, the school grew in size and strength. He developed a close and lasting relationship with students, staff and the community. Brother Charles said, “He was the boss, made the decisions, results were achieved and nobody was unduly worried how they were achieved. He could be gruff, moody and sharp. On the other hand, he was kind and thoughtful in little ways as in big. He gave you a lot of rope, let you do your own thing; develop your interests with minimum interference and lots of encouragement. He was generous and people found it easy to relate with him.”

After being absent from La Salle College for 14 years, Brother Raphael returned in 1971. He was to be Principal for the coming 12 years. During his tenure, Brother Raphael made lots of innovations. In 1975, he turned the old Prefect Board, which helped the principal oversee students, into the Student Association, which represented the students. He established the Guidance Centre, Religious Centre and implemented Computer Studies in the curriculum. He allowed the old boys to use sports facilities on Sundays. Under his tutelage La Salle College grew in strength. In the academic aspect, there were 9-As scholars. In sports, La Salle College captured the Omega Rose Bowl for 10 consecutive years.

Needless to say, the greatest innovation achieved was to turn the Dome into the Quad. Brother Raphael considered that the Dome was majestic but could not meet up with needs in the coming decades to provide excellent education. His idea was approved. Work began in 1977. On Friday, 8th June 1979, the La Salle community took possession of the new La Salle College. The whole building has central air-conditioning. Sports facilities include a 50-m swimming pool, a 6-lane 400-m track, an indoor gymnasium and a full-size astro turf soccer pitch.

In 1984, Brother Raphael reached retiring age. He passed the baton to Brother Alphonsus Chee and became the supervisor of La Salle College. At the end of September 1988, Brother Raphael underwent a major operation. This marked his two-year personal Calvary. He lost his physical strength and appetite. His spirit, however, was kept strong. Brother Henry said, “He is very cheerful and bears his sufferings very bravely trying his best not to show it and sometimes even venturing into my art room in order to crack a joke. He is full of faith and very prayerful, making regular trips to the chapel when he can walk.”

Despite his ill health, he cared about students and the schools run by the Christian Brothers. Brother Kevin Byrne, the principal of St. Joseph’s Institution in Singapore wrote, “Although Brother Raphael never served in Singapore, he was a great supporter of the New St. Joseph’s Development Project. When first approached for help he said nothing whatsoever. The Brothers who knew him informed us this was a good sign. We were greatly encouraged shortly afterwards to receive a substantial donation with a few words of good wishes. About a month before he passed away he invited a wealthy property developer in Hong Kong to donate to our New SJI Endowment Fund and we were pleasantly surprised to receive a cheque of $100,000 (in Singapore Dollars). He was a man who didn’t wear his heart on his sleeve but for all that he was very thoughtful to those in need.

Brother Raphael returned to Ireland in 1990. He visited many of his relatives in Ireland despite repeated episodes of fever and hospitalization. Although he was thousands of miles away from La Salle College, his heart was with us. Brother Raphael told his family, “If I feel alright, I want to return next month to Hong Kong which has 85% of me, of my heart and soul.

On 23rd July 1990, Brother Raphael was again hospitalized. On 23rd July 1990, at 04:20, the great man left for heaven.

_____________________________________ The following information was obtained from The Catholic Archives website: http://archives.catholic.org.hk/memory/R-Egan.htm

Brother Raphael Egan joined the Brothers in Castletown, Ireland.

He was posted to Hong Kong in 1947 and took up a teaching post in La Salle College and his past pupils still speak of his kindly manner and of the new impetus he gave to their formerly boring hours in the classroom. After two years he was appointed Director and Principle of St. Joseph’s College which was still recovering from the ravages of war. He set about re-furnishing and reorganising, recruiting better teachers and encouraging the pupils to make up for the four years of schooling they has missed as a result of the Japanese Occupation.

When he left after nine years, St. Joseph had regained its former reputation of being one of the leading schools in Hong Kong.

After a lapse of some thirteen years, Brother Raphael was later transferred back to Hong Kong and took charge of La Salle College, Kowloon. He discovered that the school was over-crowded and some of the classrooms were not up to the standard he would like. He soon set his mind on a new College. We now see the result of his planning in the new College on La Salle Road, acclaimed by many to be the finest school building in Asia. Even some Brothers on holiday from famous colleges in America were heard to say “Gee, Brother, we have nothing like this in the U.S.”

One of his great assets was his candour and the hold he had over people who got to know him; they were willing to spend time, energy and where possible, money to help him to adchieve his plans. He never lost a friend and even during the painful days towards to end of this life he was constantly writing letters to rich and poor alike in Europe, Asia and America. He was always very concerned about the pupils in his school and very generous in a quiet way to those in financial need. On one occasion a little boy fell on a broken bottle near the school and received a deep gash. He was brought into the Office bleeding profusely. Brother Raphael immediately phoned an ambulance and accompanised the boy to Queen Mary Hospital. The Doctor decided that a blood transfusion was advisable. A Nursing Sister come to Brother Raphael and said there was a severe shortage of blood and if no donor came forward they would have to charge a fee. Brother immediately stretched out his arm, pulled up his slieve saying: “plenty of it here Sister.” There is no doubt but he will he remembered by many and his passing will be deeply mourned.

He was always a very deeply religious person, but it came so natural to him that it could pass unnoticed to casual observers. He had a strong devotion to the Mass and to our Blessed Lady. During his final painful months he never complained and it would seem that during much of his time alone was given to prayer. He died in Ireland on 23 July 1990.

Brother Fridolin Gaughran was born on 15th November 1915 in Trim, on the plains of Math, Ireland. He received his early education at a local school. In 1930, he joined the Juniorate in Castletown. He entered the Novitiate the following year and took the Holy Habit and was given the name Brother Fridolin of Jesus. Brother went to Inglewood in England to compete his studies. It was in Inglewood that he felt called to serve in the East. In 1934, not yet 19, Brother Fridolin started teaching in Singapore. He taught in different schools in Malaysia including those in Sarawak and Sabah. Brother completed his tour in the Penang District in 1971 ** when he arrived in Hong Kong. He came to La Salle College and taught English and Bible. On year later, he was transferred to St. Joseph College, Hong Kong. He continued to teach there till 1976. After his retirement, Brother Fridolin stayed on in St Joseph until 1986. Although he could not teach classroom lessons officially, Brother conducted religious instructions and was a beloved Spiritual Director of the Legion of Mary. He was transferred to Castletown due to ill health. He passed away on 6th August 1988. (Copied from “The Brothers” published by LSCOBA in 2003 [** but slightly modified with some old boys input])

Brother Casimir Husarik was born on 22nd July 1914 in Czechoslovakia, gifted with a marked aptitude for languages. In early years, he studied in Lembecq, Belgium and Dover, England. He later obtained an Honours Degree (French) from the University of London. Brother Casimir came to La Salle College in 1933, just one year after its establishment. From this time onwards, he spent 44 years here. This is an unbroken record. He was involved in all major events in the first four decades of the school. Brother Casimir started off as the Master of Class 2 (equivalent to Form 5). He took special interest in the establishment and development of the LSCOBA. He was the 2nd Vice-President and the Hon. President of the LSCOBA in 1960’s to 1970’s. Whenever he met an old boy, he would check whether he had joined the LSCOBA or not. Our strong foundation is in debt to his contribution and devotion. As with many Brothers, he had to leave for Indo-China (now called Vietnam) during the Japanese occupation. He was one of the architects, with Brother Cassian, who planned the re-establishment of the school after the war. He served diligently during the Perth Street era. In 1957, he was appointed Sub-Director and Vice Principal upon the death of Brother Cassian. Brother Casimir then witnessed the glorious return to La Salle Road in 1960. Brother Casimir became the 5th Principal and Director of La Salle College in 1965. He stayed in office for 6 years. Brother Casimir proved himself to be a teacher of merit and a wise administrator. He showed great energy and perseverance in teaching, sports administration, school magazine, Legion of Mary, etc. Being the longest serving Christian Brother of La Salle College, he is the right person to define the La Salle tradition which he identified as: “the tradition that stands for high academic standards, excellent moral tone and intelligent discipline” Mr. Christopher Wong (1967) of Chicago shared: “In 1965-6, Brother Casimir agreed to change the school blazer to black, after Maryknoll Convent School changed their uniforms. The universal Lasallian badge was allowed to replace the embroidered school badge.” On 10th May 1977, Brother Casimir died suddenly from a heart attack while in La Salle College. His students would remember him for his cheery disposition and capacity for hard work. The real secret of his success and popularity was his genuine unfailing kindness.

Brother Edmund John Burke was born on 21st May 1907 in England. He arrived in Hong Kong on 14th November 1934. He taught Class 2. He was murdered in Rangoon in 1958.

Born on 24th June 1894 in the USA, Brother Anthony Kilbourn arrived in Hong Kong on 25th September 1936. The Japanese interned him at Stanley in 1942. He passed away in Manila in 1961.

Brother Anthony Knoll was born in Toronto on 28th October 1916. He received his elementary education at St. Helen’s School in Toronto where he had his first contact with the Christian Brothers. He was deeply influenced by a Brother Clement. Eventually he decided to join the Order. In October 1938, he arrived in Singapore with three other Brothers. He was posted to St. Joseph’s Institution. During the Japanese invasion, he was imprisoned in Changi Prison and later in Sime Road Camp. In prison, he took care of the sick and the old. After liberation, he became the Director of St. Joseph’s Institution, Singapore. In 1953, Brother Anthony became the Director of St. Xavier’s Institution, Penang. In short, he rebuilt these two schools, which were ruined by the war. His hard work cost him ill health and he was advised to take leave. He spent a year of rest and treatment in Canada. In late July 1956, he was posted to La Salle College, Perth Street campus. For the next twenty-five years, he served in Hong Kong, by preference as a simple teacher. He was always concerned about the spiritual development of students and recruited boys for Rosary Crusade. Brother Anthony was a devoted spiritual director of the Legion of Mary in La Salle College. In 1972, Brother Paul Sun, superior-general in exile of the Sacred Heart Brothers in Mainland China, invited Brother Anthony to help out as Vice-principal of St. Joseph’s Anglo-Chinese School. Brother Anthony could not disappoint his dear friend, although it meant that he had to live outside La Salle College. He faced this challenge with full perseverance. In May 1975, he reached a stage of physical and emotional collapse and was brought back to La Salle College. He was later sent to Canada for rest and treatment. He returned to La Salle College and served in the library. Once or twice he collapsed in the library but he always returned with minimum delay. On 28th July 1981, he was up with other Christian Brothers and said the Morning Office (prayer). He placed his host in the communion plate and left the chapel for his room. After breakfast, he was found dead fully dressed in his white robe. ___________________________________________ The following information was obtained from the HK Catholic Archives: http://archives.catholic.org.hk/memory/A-Knoll.htm On Tuesday morning, 28 July 1981, Brother Anthony left the Oratory in La Salle College evidently feeling unwell. Shortly afterwards another member of his community, feeling concerned about him went to his room and found him dead in his bed. Thus suddenly came to a close the life of one beloved both by his confreres and by his pupils. He died at the age of 64. Brother Anthony came from Canada to the mission-fields in 1938. His first appointment as a teacher was to St. Joseph’s College in Singapore. Here he became a very able teacher, very thorough in method and very devoted to his pupils, who liked his kindly ways. Came the Second World War. The Japanese invaded Malaya and advancing southward very soon besieged Singapore. The city fell and Brother Anthony, while sleeping in a corridor, contracted a severe cold. In that condition he was taken away by the enemy for internment in Chanji Gaol on the island. There with a few more Brothers he undertook the task of teaching the imprisoned children as well as attending to the sick. After the capitulation of the Japanese Brother Anthony was repatriated to Canada to recuperate. Then he returned to Singapore and resumed his professional duties this time in St. Anthony’s School close to his former school. Not long after that he was appointed Director of St. Joseph’s Community and school. During his term of office he endeared himself to all, both staff and community, by his refined and kindly ways. His was never the harsh word to utter. From this community he was transferred to St. Xavier’s College in Penang as Director. Here his health began to deteriorate rapidly. Though suffering much he bore his infirmities with heroic, Christian fortitude, never losing his equanimity. Once more he was advised to take a holiday home with the hope of a restoration of health but this was not to be. He returned to the Far East as a member of the La Salle Community in Kowloon. Here he laboured assiduously in the classroom until his retirement in 1977. It has been said of him that he always preferred to teach the backward or retarded pupils and in this he was very successful. After his retirement he assumed the office of School Librarian which office he held until the morning when Divine Providence chose to call him to his eternal reward.