Brother Michael Naughtin - condolences

Following are just some of the condolence messages received by St Joseph's College:

May I offer a contribution to the many notes of appreciation of the life of Brother Michael?

Brother Michael taught me Maths and Physics at Marist Brother's High School, Darlinghurst, in 1950 51. In common with many of his past students I have never forgotten him.

Others have paid tribute to his wisdom, scholarship and kindliness.

He taught me all those things too but the principal lesson I learnt from him was to have respect for others. As always, I suspect, he taught such a deep human lesson by way of example.

I was referred to Darlinghurst in my then 4th Year, having failed to cope at another Marist High School. I was a troubled non-Catholic teenager from a working class background but it made no difference to Brother Michael, who was then Principal of the school. In the spirit of Marcellin Champagnat he simply accepted me. For good or otherwise he didn't attempt to counsel me, he simply accepted me.

I remember him from that time as gaunt and exhausted-looking, nothing like the images shown from later times on the SJC website. From Brother Green's eulogy I now understand why: while a teaching Principal of the school he was working his way through a Sydney University Honours degree in Greek and Latin.

Marist, Catholic, Christian or otherwise I would like to add my tribute to this most admirable human.

Richard Waugh

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I was very fortunate to have been taught for six units of my 1985 HSC subjects by Brother Michael, a year in which I was awarded Dux of St Joseph's College, an achievement which I owe mostly to Brother Michael. I recall him as a great teacher with an enormous intellect, remarkable patience, a great sense of humour and a man of deep character and faith. Even at 18 years of age these character traits were obvious and I also have come to realise a greater appreciation of Brother Michael in the years since my leaving SJC. It is not possible to overstate the influence he had, not just on my education, but in serving as an example of the qualities to which one should strive in life.

In one morning's Latin class, I recall Brother Michael brandishing in one hand a copy of Cicero and in the other a copy of the daily newspaper featuring the trial of Murray Farquhar during which Mr Farquhar had taken ill causing a delay in the trial. Brother Michael read to us from Cicero in which during the course of prosecuting a rogue Roman Governor, the Governor had taken ill and delayed the prosecution by Cicero. Brother Michael pointed out we had seen men use such tactics before and we surely see it again.

In stark contrast, I doubt I shall be privileged to cross paths with a man such as Brother Michael again.

I keep Brother Michael and the SJC community in my prayers at this time.

Requiscat in pace.

Tim Stanley (85)

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My family, Ruth and Aaron (05, OBU Life Member), and I feel much sadness learning of the passing of Brother Michael. On occasions opportunities arose to speak with Brother Michael, such conversation revealed and erudite, dignified, humble and gracious person.

Our brief crossing of paths with St Joseph’s College, the ‘College Family’ and Brother Michael remains and exceptional indelible experience, enriching our lives forever more.

Brother Michael, a true inspiration and extraordinary person, embodied the College Prayer and Sub Tuum. Indeed, his life reflected the foundation wishes of St Joseph’s College, developing mind, body, soul and family.

Brother Michael did “Strive for Better Things.”

Sincerest condolences.

Lawrence J. Bonanno

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I write to express my condolences to the Marist Brothers and the College community on the passing of Brother Michael Naughtin. I was privileged to be taught by Brother Michael in the 3Unit English course (as it was then) in 1994. Although Brother Michael's gifts as a scholar were obvious (disguised though they sometimes were by his remarkable humility), I did not fully appreciate his legacy, nor the profundity of his example as a Marist, until some years after I had left St Joseph's. Only gradually did I begin to realise that I had been taught by a man who was not only a model scholar and teacher, but also a model of holiness. He was a man who truly radiated spiritual joy. At peace with God, His Mother and the Church, he became a source of peace for others. He was a fine representative of the College, the Marist Brothers and the Catholic Church.

Brother Michael Green in his eulogy this morning alluded to T.S. Eliot's 'Four Quartets', when he described Brother Michael Naughtin as a "still point". Another literary example came to my mind - the "Clerk of Oxenforde" in Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales':

"Of studye took he most cure and most heede.

Nought oo word spak he more than was neede,

And that was said in forme and reverence,

And short and quick, and full of heigh sentence:

Sounding in moral vertu was his speeche,

And gladly would he lerne, and gladly teche."

Requiescat in pace.

Dr Stephen McInerney (94)

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I am very sorry to hear of Brother Michael’s recent death.  I remember him with tremendous affection and respect, and one of the finest Marist Brothers I have been privileged to be associated with.  He had a unique combination of profound humility, extraordinary intelligence, outstanding educationalist, and all delivered with a majestic calm.  He was my Latin teacher, as well as my 1st XI Cricket coach in 1969, when we embarked on the first ever tour of Victoria by a Joeys team, with Tony Lantry as his assistant!

Please convey my condolences to the community and to Brother Michael’s extended family.  He was a very fine Marist Brother and may he rest in peace.

John O'Neill AO (69)

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My father (Patrick, 1930) used to swap jokes with Brother Micheal - in Latin.

When Dad died in 1984 - we buried him on Holy Thursday - against the 'rules' of the Church which forbade funerals during Holy Week. A sympathetic young priest at my parent's parish church - St Patrick's, Church Hill in the city - went ahead with

the Requiem Mass and burial, much to our relief. The day had almost Wagnerian weather - teeming rain and wind.

I vividly remember Brother Michael and Brother James Gray's attendance at the mass, and for that alone, I am grateful to both.

You can tell the respect schoolboys hold for a Brother by his nickname - Mick Spear (St Michael holding a spear).

Good bloke.  Vale.

John Gresham (77)

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My sincere condolences to the St Joseph’s Community for the passing of Brother Michael Naughtin.

He was such a gentle man who will be sorely missed at the College. I can remember meeting him with my Mother at the beginning of 1992 in his little office at the bottom of D-Block. He was so helpful in my subject choices and his pleasant nature endeared him to us both.

They don’t make them like that anymore.

Ben Phillips (92)

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Please pass on my condolences to the Brother’s community. My fellow students and I had the benefit of exposure to Brother Michael’s quiet and always dignified wisdom throughout our stay at the College. No doubt we were oblivious in our young ignorance to much of what he had to offer us but if you were to ask students of that era which of the Brothers had positively influenced their later life I’m sure many of us would find it hard to look past ‘Spiro’. He was a living example of the best of Christian values whose legacy is the legion of young men who might have in a small way in turn had a positive influence on others.

Bill Burke (73)

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Please accept and pass on our condolences to the brothers on the death of Brother Michael Naughtin, a man who will be greatly missed by all members of the College family.

 

My family and I join in submitting our condolences to all the brothers at this sad time.

 

John and Vicki Stephens and family. Our four sons are old boys of the College.

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A passage from The imitation of Christ (Thomas a Kempis) Book 1 ch18 vs 4 seems appropriate:

"...They persevered in true humility; they lived in simple obedience, they practiced charity and patience and so they advanced every day in the spiritual life and gained favour before God.  They were sent as an example to all religious and our ardour should be quickened by the virtue of these few, rather than damped by the indifference of many...."

For Brother Michael’s life and example to us all... Deo Gratias

Tim Stevens (80)

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I would like to add my condolences to the many you, the Brothers and the school must have already received. As you said on Saturday night, Michael's death is a huge loss to the community. Your message on the web page reflects his greatness. I would be very grateful if you could convey my sympathy and that of my extended family to the Brothers.

He was, as with the multitude, a great teacher and friend of mine and my entire family. He became well known to my parents (while my brothers and I attended school) and subsequently to my wife, Monica, and both our children. Nick has known him from a young age. All held him in the highest regard. I was privileged to be a student of Michael's 2- and 3-unit Latin classes for two years and after leaving school spent part of many evenings on an almost weekly basis chatting with Michael when I visited the school as a maths tutor during my early university years. One interaction that I still recall with amusement was on one of those evenings when I tried to convince him of the virtue of the guitar, an instrument for which he had expressed distaste. Patiently he listened, as we sat in the Year 12 common room, to the full 15 minutes of ‘Telegraph Road’ (Dire Straits) and then he shook his head with his characteristic wry smile. We also had the opportunity to enjoy opera together more than once if I recall and it was always a joy to see him at the many Joeys functions and sporting events I have since attended with my son, Nick.

One of the proudest moments of my life was when Michael called me personally to tell me I had achieved the highest mark at SJC in the 1983 HSC. Another was being invited to his retirement dinner - a truly magnificent honour. The autographed copy of his history of the College, A Century of Striving, is a treasured possession.

His wonderful leadership and teaching instilled in me an interest in Latin that has served me well during my medical career (it is most certainly *not* a dead language). I have not had the opportunity to use it much or retain much but in his honour I will have a go. It is not the dactylic hexameter of which he was so fond, and I doubt the syntax is anywhere near correct (I will be most grateful for James Gray's correction as required) but it's the best I can do after so many years...

Vale Frater Michaelus. In veritate homo magnus dei eras.

Filius Mariae et frater Champagnati, semper in meliora contendebas.

John Loadsman (83)

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I'm from the class of 65, presently in France. Just heard through my brother-in-law that Brother Michael has passed away. I was one of those who had Brother Michael as Greek teacher.

There's a poem in a modern form of Greek that contains the lines, "Honour to those who in their own lives / Have stood up to guard Thermopylae." Brother Michael was a quiet but determined guardian of good things. Much missed.

Condolences to staff and students

Robert Townshend (65)

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Like many thousands I am deeply saddened by the loss of Brother Michael.

Last year I was but one of the organising committee for the 40 year reunion of the class of 68. The centrepiece of the reunion was a mass in the College chapel, celebrated by our classmate Phil Wilson, followed by a dinner on the B&W tiles attended also by wives / partners and Brothers.  We were very fortunate to have Brother Michael join us for a short while - and the moment he arrived all of us stood and applauded in a show of respect, appreciation, thanks - these sentiments and more.

At one point during his short time with us that evening my wife and I had the very special opportunity to speak with Brother Michael one-on-one and I took the moment to tell him that, as he may not have realised at the time in his poorly state of health, that all of us had stood and applauded him on his 'arrival' - and that the reason for that was the tremendous respect with which he was held and indeed that it was a measure of the love that this group of old boys had for him.

Brother Michael was thankful for the comment - but he also seemed genuinely surprised - such was his humility.

If this note helps, or adds, in any way with your preparations for Brother Michael's funeral this coming Thursday then that is good. If I, or other classmates of 68 or others, can help with personally expressing the sentiment expressed in this email during the ceremony on Thursday itself - then I or others would be delighted and highly honoured to do so.

Damien Ryan (68)

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Sad news indeed.

 

Brother Michael was an outstanding educator and inspired in his charges a lifelong passion for learning.

 

He was a gentleman and a scholar of the highest order.

 

Dr Steve Clough (75)

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Sorry to hear of the loss of Brother Michael... I held him in high regard and in the exchange of a few letters was always appreciative of his comments and advice. I particularly remember he published a letter of mine as part of his editorial - no greater reward for an author.

Paddy Hargraves (42)

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Thank you for passing on the sad news about Brother Michael. Albeit a sad passing, I suppose there is much to celebrate in the fact that we as students of St Joseph's were privileged to have been recipients of his care and Christian example at a time we would only realise in later years, we really needed at that time of our lives. I was never taught by Brother Michael, but sought out his advice on a few occasions, to which I, at the time was grateful. Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend his mass or funeral, but will hold him in my prayers.

Mike McGregor (75)

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Our prayers are with the St Joseph’s College community and Brother Michael’s extended family. It was comforting to know we were able to speak about Brother Michael’s involvement in our education and time at Joeys while at lunch on Friday.

Glenn Ferguson (96)

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This year marks 30 years since I left the College, and it is the first time that I have felt compelled to write to express my gratitude.

 

Brother Michael greatly influenced my development, and helped to instil the principles and values that have held me in good stead in both my professional and personal life. He epitomised integrity, discipline, diligence, humility, and compassion in a way that deeply affected my psyche. Brother Michael taught me Latin and English, and coached me as captain of the 2nd Debating Team that won the GPS championship in 1978.

 

I am sure that Brother Michael has influenced an enormous number of young men over the years. There could not have been a more fitting exemplar for these young men than Brother Michael Naughtin.

 Martin Moore (79)

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Brother Michael was the first Brother at SJC I came across when my parents were looking for boarding schools in Australia and, for me, I was sold on the school from only a few hours in his company.

 

When at school I benefited from his special wisdom and inexhaustible patience, as I am sure there are generations of Old Boys who have experienced the same.

 

I'm sure there is a book to be written of the collective experiences of Old Boys and their memories of Brother Michael.

 

Unfortunately, living in the UK, I am unable to be there to attend the service of thanksgiving, but I would like to send my condolences to the community and the school body.

Eric Green (85)

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All Old Boys are encouraged to visit the Old Boys' Union website to record their personal contact details for future notifications from St Joseph's College and OBU. www.sjcobu.com