Bro. Francis Bernard FMS, a member of the Marist Brothers of the Schools for 65 years, died on June 5, 2014 at Champagnat Hall in the Bronx. He was 83 years old.
Bro. Francis Bernard entered the Marist Brothers’ Novitiate, at Poughkeepsie, NY in 1948 and professed his first vows in 1950 at St. Joseph’s Novitiate in Tyngsboro, MA. After completing his religious and academic studies at Marist College, Poughkeepsie, New York, he began his ministry in 1953 dedicated to the Catholic education of youth which lasted for 47 years.
Bro. Francis received his undergraduate degree from Marist College In English and a Masters degree in English from St. John’s University.
Bro. Francis ministered in the Archdiocese of New York at St. Ann’s Academy, Mount Saint Michael Academy and Rice High School; Archbishop Molloy High School in the Diocese of Brooklyn; St. Mary’s High School in the Diocese of Rockville Centre; St. Joseph Academy in the Diocese of Brownsville and at Marist High School in the Archdiocese of Newark. He retired to the Marist Brother’s residence, Champagnat Hall, in the Bronx in 2000.
A funeral Mass was celebrated at the Chapel of Mount Saint Michael Academy, Wednesday, June 11 followed by burial at the Marist Brothers’ Cemetery in Esopus, New York.
For more information please contact:
Marist Brothers Provincial Office
