In Memoriam

DON STUART
The brothers of Ealing Circle were saddened to learn of the death of Don Stuart on the 4th September 2005 after a brief illness. The following is an extract from the Eulogy given by Anthony Phillips. Donald Robertson Stuart, if you knew him as a Brother, Husband, Father, work colleague, pupil or Friend he was a person, who commended great respect. Whether it was his humble upbringing or his worldly knowledge I know not, but he was that person anyone could talk to, confide in and if it was a problem he would provide a reasoned approach or solution, and yet would not suffer fools easily. He would also tell you straight if you were in the wrong. Don was born in November 1931 in Dunoon into a large family. Seeing all the ships coming down the Clyde gave him a feeling of wanting to move away from his roots and so he came to London. His first job in Acton was with a shopfitting firm and out of interest I asked who his boss was. Long time ago, 40 years, cannot remember, was the answer, so I prompted him with a name. He was my next door neighbour and taught me woodwork. That brought a broad grin to his face as Don taught me woodwork at St Benedicts School in Ealing. In the 1960s he broadened his horizons and went to Trinity College Dublin to take a degree and become a teacher. His first teaching practice was in St Edmund Campion school in Essex. He then returned to Ealing where he established himself in the History department. As a young teacher he set his cap at a teacher, Pam Simister, in the school and married her in December 1958, snatching her from under the noses of the English. The Church was always an important part of Dons life and he made many friends with monks from the monasteries, especially Douai and Buckfast. The memories of Don the teacher, the staff at St Benedicts, the common room and not least the large number of pupils who learnt much from a wise man. With Pam in the junior school and Don in the senior, I am surprised it didnt change its name to Stuarts. As head of the common room, he was that person who would guide the young teachers and try and ensure that problems were ironed out before they became major obstacles. He joined the Catenian Association in 1976 and soon became president, a task he was to fulfil twice more and the only

The deaths of the following brothers are announced with deep regret 2005 March
16 Peter Bernard Dyer Kirby Muxloe

valued your friendship and wise counsel. You have gone to meet all your old pals, your just reward for a wonderful life.
May he rest in peace

PETER HARTNETT
Ealing Circle were saddened to learn of the death of Peter Hartnett on 13th July 2005 after a long illness. Anthony Phillips writes: Peter was born on 27th June 1919 in Barrakilla, Ardgroom, County Cork. He grew up on the family farm with his two older brothers and two sisters and went to the local school. These were happy days, fishing with his father, starting his love for sports with boxing and athletics. His sisters moved away and his brothers went to America so life on the farm was going to be his future. Having been offered the farm by his father he declined as he wanted to move on and so an apprenticeship in a carpenters was arranged. His sporting pursuits extended to cycling with dancing as a relaxation. His love of sports continued even when in 1943 he emigrated to London. Having travelled around for jobs, he settled in Ealing in the late 1940s and he attended Mass at what was then Ealing Priory. A member of the Mens Club in the parish of St Benedicts, introduced Peter and he became a member for the princely sum of 1s membership fee. He was to remain a very active member until his death and for the last few years he was President of the Club. He developed his work and soon was able to take out a lease on a dance hall in West Ealing. This was a successful venture and being short staffed one night a young girl came to help. He took a fancy to the young lass and so started a romance which eventually led to marriage to Lena on 14th July 1951. They were to raise three daughters, Anna-Maria, Catherine and Helena and son Paul. In later years the family was extended by the birth of many grandchildren. As they grew up the proud grandfather was ever watchful of their progress. Business started to take off and so Hartnett Bros was born, building houses and flats all over West London. In addition Lena wanted to branch out and so the large house was turned into a nursing home and the family moved. In 1987 Peter took up the game of golf, and being ever the sportsman he was soon lowering his handicap. Over the years he was to help many others to take up the sport.

October
21 Patrick Stradling Weald of Kent

2006 February
12 Pat Liston Mandurah

March
22 Bernard Langley Sheffield

April
20 Alf Stone Nottingham 29 Frank Tomlinson Preston and District

May
01 John Hook Norwich & District 04 Simon Benson South Leicester 11 Ted Stewart York 16 Dan Brearton Sheffield 21 Peter Martin Aylesbury 22 Martin Ryan Preston and District 23 Austin Jahnsdorf Derby

May They Rest in Peace

person to do so in Ealing Circle. He represented the Circle on Province, where his wise words and great wisdom were in much demand. He was well known throughout the Association and it was sad that his health did not permit him to take higher office. He and I had a great rapport and would trade words, usually flummoxing others who did not know who was pulling whos leg or telling the truth. To his family, his brothers and sister, Pam and Ian, Don was a loving and devoted family man, an example to us all. As a dad with an only child, he was so proud of Ians achievements. The reception of his body and the Requiem Mass were concelebrated by the Abbot and the monks from various monasteries. Many friends, colleagues from School, the Mens club and the Association were present. Don, you were a great brother, husband and father, teacher, colleague and friend and Catenian Brother; we all

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In Memoriam
In 1969 Peter joined Ealing Circle and as many businessmen do, took a back seat until 1989, when he became President. That was great year with many fellow Irishmen, who were also Presidents in their Circles. He took his love of golf into the Circle as he promoted a golf day, which became very popular and he donated the coveted cup to the winner. Catenian Golf Trips were soon his life and he travelled around the country and abroad for rounds of golf. His love of his homeland encouraged him to start a Beara Association in 1980, and he was the first chairman. The many countrymen who joined raised many thousands of pounds for Charitable causes. In 1988 Peter wrote a book entitled The Life Story of an Irish Carpenter a lovely biography. The profits went to charity. Sadly Peters active life was cruelly hit when he was taken ill in 2003 and he was not to recover. We all remember Peter with great affection and offer our prayers and sympathy to Lena, his family and to all his friends. His Requiem Mass was held in Ealing Abbey attended by his family, friends and members of the Catenian Association.
May he rest in peace

PETER PRICE
Brothers of Wakefield Circle were saddened to receive the news of the death of one of their respected Brothers, Peter Price, at the age of 76 on the 21st December 2005 in Hull. He had suffered a series of debilitating strokes over a period of five years and latterly he had been a resident in Woodlands residential nursing home in the Cottingham area of Hull. The cumulative effect of his several strokes adversely affected his mobility and reasoning but his final hours were marked by a period of calm and peace fortified by the sacrament of the sick administered only hours before his death. Michael Starford writes: Peter Price was born in Wakefield in 1930, of Welsh stock, one of two children born to parents James and Lilly Price. His sister, Doreen, was five years older than him. His paternal Welsh grandfather had left the valleys to work in the Yorkshire coalfields at the turn of the century. Peter attended Wakefield Cathedral school before joining the family newsagent and it seemed that he was destined to continue in the family business, temporarily interrupted by

national service in the RAF, until the arrival of his children provided a change of direction and a new entrepreneurial opportunity. He met his wife Margaret Pearce at The Embassy a local dance hall in Wakefield and they were married at St Austins church in Wakefield in 1954. Peter had been received into the church just prior to his marriage. As an avid reader and as a consequence of his conversion, he read widely on theology and apologetics and would love to debate philosophy, morals and doctrine with family, friends and visitors at every opportunity. He was a Knight of St Columba and was introduced to the Catenians by the late Brian Briggs, a well known local publican and former international rugby league player whose place of business, infectious personality and garrulous nature, provided the catalyst for a number of Brothers to join Wakefield Circle. Peter never aspired to office in the Circle but was a regular attender until illness prevented him from doing so. They had two children, Damian and Rachael. Damian was a talented chef and it was this trait which gave Peter the ambition to sell his newsagents and purchase a country inn and restaurant in North Yorkshire. By sheer hard work, determination and enthusiasm, Peter and his son built up a successful business but tragically his son was killed in a road accident, a set back from which Peter never really recovered. His last four years were marred by illness and a cumulative deterioration in his health which necessitated a move to Hull to be close to his daughter Rachael a state registered nurse. Peter had strong views on many issues and was a good communicator. Rachael related that he had a stubborn nature and was uncompromising in his views and there were many differences of opinion between them but the one special flair that he imbued in his children was the art of communication. During the time running the news agency he had a special gift in communicating with others in all walks of life. He would treat everyone with equal respect and establish some common ground and genuinely set up a rapport that would bring about a warm and friendly mutual response. His love of the written word gave him many hours of pleasure and he was a passionate rugby league enthusiast. He did not like change and Vatican II left him with some traditional concerns but he never compromised his strong faith and respect for the church and its teachings. Sadly his last years were affected by a loss of rational thought but in his own simple way he

practised his faith unreservedly and without inhibitions as best he could. His Requiem Mass took place at Holy Cross Church, Cottingham, Hull, concelebrated by Fr Marsden and a life long friend and retired priest Fr Michael Powell. We remember Peter in our prayers and thanksgiving for his life and in the knowledge that it was a life of honesty, integrity, principle and good intentions. We share the sadness of his family in their grief, Margaret his wife, who supported him in his final difficult years so unselfishly, despite her own serious health problems, daughter Rachael and son-in-law Paul, grandchildren Charlotte, Helen, Jessica and Samuel. Also a special thanks on behalf of Wakefield Circle to the Brothers of Hull Circle who regularly visited his Peter following his move to the Hull area.
May he rest in peace

JOHN ROBERT BRUCE

February 18th 1933-November 15th 2005 Submitted by Sheila Bruce: John was born in the district of Morningside in Edinburgh on a snowy morning, the only child of Elizabeth and John Nicol Bruce. His parents were Scottish, the influence John proudly carried with him throughout his life. The family moved to Middlesbrough when John was a boy, keen on football, and was always a faithful supporter of the Borough. John was educated at Acklam Hall Grammar School and it was here that his love of art was encouraged. He went on to study at the Constantine College of Art, specialising in stained glass, lettering and mosaics, and he then furthered his studies at Liverpool University before doing his National Service. After a period of time with the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, he was transferred to the Army Education Co. and sent to the Beachly Army Training School to teach map reading. He met Sheila during this time, and following completion of his army service he returned to Middlesbrough, to teach art at a girls secondary school. Sheila and John were married in December 1957, and then John taught at a boys technical school for three years. John had been brought up as a Scottish Presbyterian, and Sheila as a Welsh Baptist and although neither could remember who was the first to mention the subject they both felt that they wanted to build on this foundation and found themselves moving towards the Catholic Faith. Following a move to Crewe in Cheshire in 1960, John then teaching at a boys grammar school, they took instruction in the Catholic Faith and were both received into the Church in August 1961.

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In Memoriam
John lectured in art history for the WEA and held several art exhibitions during this time. The next move was in 1964 to Newcastle-upon-Tyne where he took an appointment as lecturer in art at the Sacred Heart teacher training college in Fenham. The move to London was in 1970 with John as principal lecturer and head of the art department at the Maria Assumpta teacher training college in Kensington Square, where he managed a busy and complex course until government cutbacks caused the closure of the college in 1977, and John, along with other heads of departments, remained to guide degree students to completion of their courses. John took a sabbatical year and studied educational psychology at London University, following on then to his MA in the evaluation of Art Education. He was an external examiner for London University and also for Queens University, Belfast. Following a period of unemployment, John took a post as art master at the local boys school where he continued to teach until forced to take early retirement because of his declining health. He had developed signs of multiple sclerosis in the early 1970s but his courage and sense of humour, and his skill in communication, gained and retained friends from every walk of life, culture and any age. He would both amuse and confuse. If asked how he was, his reply would be, astonishing. His quiet warmth and understanding made John a very popular man, one who was always willing to listen and ready to give support when needed. Before his illness, he had been a very accomplished pianist, and John and Sheila shared their love of music through the years. He was always willing to share knowledge and experience in an unassuming way, and all who sought help or came into contact with him, left with a feeling of worth. Following retirement John added to his book collection and this led to a passionate interest in the life and works of Dylan Thomas, several happy holidays in Swansea, and membership of the Dylan Thomas Society. John was a member of the Catenian Association for 32 years. He was president of Wimbledon Circle in 1976, later served on Provincial Council and became Provincial President in 1986. He was also an active member of Kingston Circle. Brothers of Province 19 will have fond memories of John, in full highland dress, (Bruce tartan of course) addressing the haggis at a Burns supper. John is sadly missed by his wife Sheila, daughter Elaine, son-in-law Tim, and grandchildren, Alex, Robert, and Sophie, and by his many friends and Catenian brothers. John, husband, father, grandfather, friend, loved Art, Music, Literature, real ale and single malt, and football, but above all, his Faith. With what richer life could anyone have been more blessed.
May he rest in peace

ALFRED STONE KSG

Brothers of Nottingham 20 Circle and Province 15 mourn the loss of a cherished brother. This tribute is adapted from the eulogy delivered by his son-in-law, Brother Paul Roper, at the Requiem Mass in Saint Pauls Church, Nottingham. Alfred was born in Warrington in 1917 one of 12 children. His early education was in Warrington, from where he transferred to Montford College in Romsey, Hampshire. He went on to study engineering at Manchester and remained in Lancashire where he worked in the aircraft industry during the Second World War. In 1945 he met Mary at her local village dance. They were married in 1947 while Alfred was employed by ICI in Northwich in a job which was less than inspirational! In 1950 Alfred moved to Nottingham with Mary and their new daughter, Madeleine, to start a business with his brother-in-law Tom. They began dealing in tropical fish and their enterprise developed into a general pet shop and later a very successful mail order business, marketing specialist game fishing equipment. Sport was an important dimension in Alfreds life and as a young man he played Rugby Union at club level for Warrington. Angling was a passion from an early age right through to his final years. He was in his element when fishing the Dee, close to Balmoral, first with his brother-in-law and later with Mary and his second daughter, Charlotte. These fishing trips became an annual pilgrimage for over four decades. He was also an accomplished horseman. His other regular fishing companion was Bishop Edward Ellis, with whom he shared many trips to Ireland. In 1965 the Bishop invited him to help with the annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes and for 15 years he was a Chef Brancardier coordinating the helpers, bringing to the task his leadership and administrative skills with generosity and humour. Alfred joined the Association in January 1969 and was an active member from the

start. He was soon invited on to Council and served as President 1973-74. It was during his Presidential year that Nottingham 20 Circle celebrated its Diamond Jubilee and Alfred led a Circle pilgrimage to Rome which included an audience with His Holiness Pope Paul VI. In 1976 Alfred was elected to Nottingham City Council representing the Robin Hood Ward and served his constituents conscientiously for 16 years. He was Deputy Lord Mayor 1988-89 and was elected Sheriff of Nottingham 1990-91 with Madeleine as his Lady. Controversially, the Roman Catholic Councillor for Robin Hood Ward had become the Sheriff of Nottingham on the casting vote of the only Communist on the Council! On retirement from public office Alfred was made an Honorary Alderman of his adopted city. In 1990 Alfred was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal in recognition of his many years of service to Catholic Education on the governing bodies of the Becket School and Saint Josephs Preparatory School. It was on his retirement from the Board of Governors of the latter that he was invited to its Christmas Carol Concert in 2002 at St Barnabas Cathedral. He was not expecting the announcement at the conclusion of the service that he was to receive a Papal Knighthood of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great. It is recorded that this was one of the few occasions that Alfred was speechless! In 2004, in full uniform and regalia, he received from Bishop Malcolm McMahon OP the Papal Citation at his home Parish of Saint Pauls, Lenton. Always a committed and active Catholic, he worked tirelessly for the Church at many levels. In his later years he helped with the work of the Chaplaincy at the Queens Medical Centre at the University of Nottingham where he served Mass each Friday. He became a valued member of three committees at the QMC dealing with patient participation and medical ethics. Despite the many calls on his time Alfred valued his membership of the Catenian Association and was committed to its ideals. He attended meetings and functions regularly to which he contributed both humour and wisdom. His invariable addendum to the Loyal Toast, The Duke of Lancaster, will be missed by Brothers of Nottingham 20 Circle and beyond! To his beloved widow, Mary, and his children, Madeleine, Charlotte and Thomas, we send our condolences and thank God in prayer for the life of this good man, the happy repose of his soul and comfort for his family and friends.
May he rest in peace

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