Cyril Thomas Fitzgerald, O. Carm., 1918]1996
Obituary
He was in many ways a quintessential Boston (or more specifically, Dorchester) Irishman. He was more than proud of his Irish Heritage and his Boston background. An accomplished speaker and teacher, Cyril Thomas Fitzgerald never lost either. His excellent grasp of history, and also of theology, was put to great use in his life. He also had a wry sense of humor, and a way with words that often astonished his listeners.Cyril was born in Boston, Massachusetts just before the end of World War I. The date was 4 April 1918. He was the son of the late Edward and Ellen (Carey) Fitzgerald. His hard]working parents provided a good, if not affluent, home for their son, Tom, and his siblings. After attending public grade schools and St. Francis Xavier High School in Boston, Cyril felt the call to the priesthood. He initially joined the Society of the Divine Word in the Boston area. When he found that his calling was not in a distinctively missionary group, he looked around for another religious order.
After some searching, Cyril found what he had been looking for in a vocation: a group that focused on both teaching and preaching, among other things, and were concerned about spirituality, too.
He joined the Carmelites at Mount Carmel College in Niagara Falls, Ontario in 1942, to complete his college studies there, and to prepare for entry into the novitiate. The following year he joined the novitiate class at New Baltimore, Pennsylvania, and on 15 August 1944 he professed his simple vows as a Carmelite.
Having completed his college studies, Cyril went directly to Whitefriars Hall in Washington, D.C. to begin his studies in theology. He joined yet another class of seminarians and felt at home while he also diligently followed the course of studies. He also made his solemn profession on 15 May 1947.According to ordination classmate Robert Flaherty, Cyril was ordained to the priesthood on 7 June 1947 at St. Simon Stock Church in the Bronx, New York. Auxiliary Bishop Stephen Donahue of the Archdiocese of New York ordained Cyril and Robert Flaherty, along with members of the New York Carmelite Province: Jerome Bauer, Vincent McDonald, Francis Donahue, James Reilly and Lawrence Mooney. Shortly afterwards, Cyril returned to 1
Dorchester, Massachusetts to offer his First Mass. He then returned to complete his "simplex" year as a priest at Whitefriars Hall.
His first assignment after ordination was to the faculty of the Carmelite Junior Seminary in Hamilton, Massachusetts, where he taught American history to the seniors and other history courses to underclassmen.
He spent a good deal of time teaching about the famous Sacco (Nicola) and Vanzetti (Bartolomeo) case in Boston when the two Italian anarchists were found guilty of robbery and murder in 1921 and were executed in 1927. As a young lad, Cyril had experienced the trial, and his sympathies were much in favor of Sacco and Vanzetti who were not, in his estimation, given a fair trial in the midst of hysteria and anti]foreign feeling.
Perhaps his greatest "coup" that year was the presidential election of Harry S. Truman and his struggle against the Republican candidate, New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey. Most of the class, even though mainly Democrats, and much of the nation, didn't give Truman much of a chance. But Cyril held first and foremost for Truman. When the nation awoke after the November 1948 election to find Truman still in the White House, our class knew that Cyril had the last laugh. And we expected him to capitalize on this.
However, he came to class that day and didn't even mention the election. We waited and waited, but not a word. When the final bell for that class rang, Cyril walked out the door. Nothing! Then he stepped back into the classroom, smiled slightly and said: "I told you so!"In addition to his studies at Mount Carmel College, Cyril prepared himself for his apostolates with graduate studies in history at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. And while at Hamilton, he completed his M.A. studies in United States History at Boston College.
Following his years at Hamilton, Cyril was assigned to teach history at Joliet Catholic High School, Illinois for two terms of service, 1952]53 and 1955]60. Again he was a well]respected and popular teacher at the school. His preaching prowess again came to the fore. In those days, the outstanding preacher of the St. Elias Community (the priory next to the school) was usually assigned to Sunday assistance at St. Mary's Carmelite Church in downtown Joliet. Cyril held the post for several years. When three of his Hamilton "boys" (this writer, Brandon Shea and Godfrey Sill) came to Joliet, Cyril welcomed them and aided these new teachers by sharing his own concern and considerable teaching skills.From 1963]69, Cyril also taught at Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, Illinois, where his Boston accent and patrician attitude continued to impress the high school students in his classes.
In addition to his high school teaching, Cyril worked successfully in several parishes, including St. Mary's Carmelite in Joliet, Illinois, St. Cecilia's in Englewood, New Jersey (1961]62), and St. Patrick's in Niagara Falls, Ontario (the following year). His people and preaching skills again came to the fore.
After his teaching years, Cyril joined the Carmelite Mission Band, then headquartered at the former Provincial House in the Hyde Park section of Chicago. From there he went out to preach parish missions, plus retreats to religious and lay groups. He was popular with both adult and teen groups. His caring nature, great speaking skills, and considerable theology background all contributed to his success in doing the Lord's work in this field. He traveled to many parts of the United States and Canada preaching, exhorting and helping people to find God in their lives.
In 1970, Cyril was assigned back East to the St. Therese Chapel staff of the Northshore Shopping Center in Peabody, Massachusetts, not far from the former CJS in Hamilton, where he taught for a year before it closed.He was soon offered the position of history teacher at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, a position he held for many years.
Upon retirement, he moved back to his birthplace of Dorchester to care for an ailing brother. Cyril struggled for years with cancer but kept active to the end of his days. Not long before his death, he had gathered the poetry of the late Duncan Reilly, with whom he had taught in Joliet, and published it in the Carmelite Review.
Cyril was preparing to celebrate his Golden Jubilee of Ordination in 1997, and had requested this writer to preach at the celebration. But the Lord's call intervened on 25 August 1996.
A concelebrated Mass of the Resurrection was held at St. William's Church in Dorchester on 28 August 1996. Friend and classmate John Donahue was the principal celebrant with John Welch as the homilist.
Leo McCarthy, Provincial of the PCM Province, presided at the Mass. Concelebrants included two former Prior Generals of the Order, Killian J. Healy and John Malley. Other Carmelites and family and friends came to pay a final tribute to Cyril as a great man and Carmelite. Interment was at New Calvary Cemetery near Franklin Park, Massachusetts. A great Carmelite has gone home.
Obituary
He was in many ways a quintessential Boston (or more specifically, Dorchester) Irishman. He was more than proud of his Irish Heritage and his Boston background. An accomplished speaker and teacher, Cyril Thomas Fitzgerald never lost either. His excellent grasp of history, and also of theology, was put to great use in his life. He also had a wry sense of humor, and a way with words that often astonished his listeners.Cyril was born in Boston, Massachusetts just before the end of World War I. The date was 4 April 1918. He was the son of the late Edward and Ellen (Carey) Fitzgerald. His hard]working parents provided a good, if not affluent, home for their son, Tom, and his siblings. After attending public grade schools and St. Francis Xavier High School in Boston, Cyril felt the call to the priesthood. He initially joined the Society of the Divine Word in the Boston area. When he found that his calling was not in a distinctively missionary group, he looked around for another religious order.
After some searching, Cyril found what he had been looking for in a vocation: a group that focused on both teaching and preaching, among other things, and were concerned about spirituality, too.
He joined the Carmelites at Mount Carmel College in Niagara Falls, Ontario in 1942, to complete his college studies there, and to prepare for entry into the novitiate. The following year he joined the novitiate class at New Baltimore, Pennsylvania, and on 15 August 1944 he professed his simple vows as a Carmelite.
Having completed his college studies, Cyril went directly to Whitefriars Hall in Washington, D.C. to begin his studies in theology. He joined yet another class of seminarians and felt at home while he also diligently followed the course of studies. He also made his solemn profession on 15 May 1947.According to ordination classmate Robert Flaherty, Cyril was ordained to the priesthood on 7 June 1947 at St. Simon Stock Church in the Bronx, New York. Auxiliary Bishop Stephen Donahue of the Archdiocese of New York ordained Cyril and Robert Flaherty, along with members of the New York Carmelite Province: Jerome Bauer, Vincent McDonald, Francis Donahue, James Reilly and Lawrence Mooney. Shortly afterwards, Cyril returned to 1
Dorchester, Massachusetts to offer his First Mass. He then returned to complete his "simplex" year as a priest at Whitefriars Hall.
His first assignment after ordination was to the faculty of the Carmelite Junior Seminary in Hamilton, Massachusetts, where he taught American history to the seniors and other history courses to underclassmen.
He spent a good deal of time teaching about the famous Sacco (Nicola) and Vanzetti (Bartolomeo) case in Boston when the two Italian anarchists were found guilty of robbery and murder in 1921 and were executed in 1927. As a young lad, Cyril had experienced the trial, and his sympathies were much in favor of Sacco and Vanzetti who were not, in his estimation, given a fair trial in the midst of hysteria and anti]foreign feeling.
Perhaps his greatest "coup" that year was the presidential election of Harry S. Truman and his struggle against the Republican candidate, New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey. Most of the class, even though mainly Democrats, and much of the nation, didn't give Truman much of a chance. But Cyril held first and foremost for Truman. When the nation awoke after the November 1948 election to find Truman still in the White House, our class knew that Cyril had the last laugh. And we expected him to capitalize on this.
However, he came to class that day and didn't even mention the election. We waited and waited, but not a word. When the final bell for that class rang, Cyril walked out the door. Nothing! Then he stepped back into the classroom, smiled slightly and said: "I told you so!"In addition to his studies at Mount Carmel College, Cyril prepared himself for his apostolates with graduate studies in history at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. And while at Hamilton, he completed his M.A. studies in United States History at Boston College.
Following his years at Hamilton, Cyril was assigned to teach history at Joliet Catholic High School, Illinois for two terms of service, 1952]53 and 1955]60. Again he was a well]respected and popular teacher at the school. His preaching prowess again came to the fore. In those days, the outstanding preacher of the St. Elias Community (the priory next to the school) was usually assigned to Sunday assistance at St. Mary's Carmelite Church in downtown Joliet. Cyril held the post for several years. When three of his Hamilton "boys" (this writer, Brandon Shea and Godfrey Sill) came to Joliet, Cyril welcomed them and aided these new teachers by sharing his own concern and considerable teaching skills.From 1963]69, Cyril also taught at Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, Illinois, where his Boston accent and patrician attitude continued to impress the high school students in his classes.
In addition to his high school teaching, Cyril worked successfully in several parishes, including St. Mary's Carmelite in Joliet, Illinois, St. Cecilia's in Englewood, New Jersey (1961]62), and St. Patrick's in Niagara Falls, Ontario (the following year). His people and preaching skills again came to the fore.
After his teaching years, Cyril joined the Carmelite Mission Band, then headquartered at the former Provincial House in the Hyde Park section of Chicago. From there he went out to preach parish missions, plus retreats to religious and lay groups. He was popular with both adult and teen groups. His caring nature, great speaking skills, and considerable theology background all contributed to his success in doing the Lord's work in this field. He traveled to many parts of the United States and Canada preaching, exhorting and helping people to find God in their lives.
In 1970, Cyril was assigned back East to the St. Therese Chapel staff of the Northshore Shopping Center in Peabody, Massachusetts, not far from the former CJS in Hamilton, where he taught for a year before it closed.He was soon offered the position of history teacher at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, a position he held for many years.
Upon retirement, he moved back to his birthplace of Dorchester to care for an ailing brother. Cyril struggled for years with cancer but kept active to the end of his days. Not long before his death, he had gathered the poetry of the late Duncan Reilly, with whom he had taught in Joliet, and published it in the Carmelite Review.
Cyril was preparing to celebrate his Golden Jubilee of Ordination in 1997, and had requested this writer to preach at the celebration. But the Lord's call intervened on 25 August 1996.
A concelebrated Mass of the Resurrection was held at St. William's Church in Dorchester on 28 August 1996. Friend and classmate John Donahue was the principal celebrant with John Welch as the homilist.
Leo McCarthy, Provincial of the PCM Province, presided at the Mass. Concelebrants included two former Prior Generals of the Order, Killian J. Healy and John Malley. Other Carmelites and family and friends came to pay a final tribute to Cyril as a great man and Carmelite. Interment was at New Calvary Cemetery near Franklin Park, Massachusetts. A great Carmelite has gone home.
Cyril Thomas Fitzgerald, O. Carm., 1918]1996
Obituary
He was in many ways a quintessential Boston (or more specifically, Dorchester) Irishman. He was more than proud of his Irish Heritage and his Boston background. An accomplished speaker and teacher, Cyril Thomas Fitzgerald never lost either. His excellent grasp of history, and also of theology, was put to great use in his life. He also had a wry sense of humor, and a way with words that often astonished his listeners.Cyril was born in Boston, Massachusetts just before the end of World War I. The date was 4 April 1918. He was the son of the late Edward and Ellen (Carey) Fitzgerald. His hard]working parents provided a good, if not affluent, home for their son, Tom, and his siblings. After attending public grade schools and St. Francis Xavier High School in Boston, Cyril felt the call to the priesthood. He initially joined the Society of the Divine Word in the Boston area. When he found that his calling was not in a distinctively missionary group, he looked around for another religious order.
After some searching, Cyril found what he had been looking for in a vocation: a group that focused on both teaching and preaching, among other things, and were concerned about spirituality, too.
He joined the Carmelites at Mount Carmel College in Niagara Falls, Ontario in 1942, to complete his college studies there, and to prepare for entry into the novitiate. The following year he joined the novitiate class at New Baltimore, Pennsylvania, and on 15 August 1944 he professed his simple vows as a Carmelite.
Having completed his college studies, Cyril went directly to Whitefriars Hall in Washington, D.C. to begin his studies in theology. He joined yet another class of seminarians and felt at home while he also diligently followed the course of studies. He also made his solemn profession on 15 May 1947.According to ordination classmate Robert Flaherty, Cyril was ordained to the priesthood on 7 June 1947 at St. Simon Stock Church in the Bronx, New York. Auxiliary Bishop Stephen Donahue of the Archdiocese of New York ordained Cyril and Robert Flaherty, along with members of the New York Carmelite Province: Jerome Bauer, Vincent McDonald, Francis Donahue, James Reilly and Lawrence Mooney. Shortly afterwards, Cyril returned to 1
Dorchester, Massachusetts to offer his First Mass. He then returned to complete his "simplex" year as a priest at Whitefriars Hall.
His first assignment after ordination was to the faculty of the Carmelite Junior Seminary in Hamilton, Massachusetts, where he taught American history to the seniors and other history courses to underclassmen.
He spent a good deal of time teaching about the famous Sacco (Nicola) and Vanzetti (Bartolomeo) case in Boston when the two Italian anarchists were found guilty of robbery and murder in 1921 and were executed in 1927. As a young lad, Cyril had experienced the trial, and his sympathies were much in favor of Sacco and Vanzetti who were not, in his estimation, given a fair trial in the midst of hysteria and anti]foreign feeling.
Perhaps his greatest "coup" that year was the presidential election of Harry S. Truman and his struggle against the Republican candidate, New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey. Most of the class, even though mainly Democrats, and much of the nation, didn't give Truman much of a chance. But Cyril held first and foremost for Truman. When the nation awoke after the November 1948 election to find Truman still in the White House, our class knew that Cyril had the last laugh. And we expected him to capitalize on this.
However, he came to class that day and didn't even mention the election. We waited and waited, but not a word. When the final bell for that class rang, Cyril walked out the door. Nothing! Then he stepped back into the classroom, smiled slightly and said: "I told you so!"In addition to his studies at Mount Carmel College, Cyril prepared himself for his apostolates with graduate studies in history at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. And while at Hamilton, he completed his M.A. studies in United States History at Boston College.
Following his years at Hamilton, Cyril was assigned to teach history at Joliet Catholic High School, Illinois for two terms of service, 1952]53 and 1955]60. Again he was a well]respected and popular teacher at the school. His preaching prowess again came to the fore. In those days, the outstanding preacher of the St. Elias Community (the priory next to the school) was usually assigned to Sunday assistance at St. Mary's Carmelite Church in downtown Joliet. Cyril held the post for several years. When three of his Hamilton "boys" (this writer, Brandon Shea and Godfrey Sill) came to Joliet, Cyril welcomed them and aided these new teachers by sharing his own concern and considerable teaching skills.From 1963]69, Cyril also taught at Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, Illinois, where his Boston accent and patrician attitude continued to impress the high school students in his classes.
In addition to his high school teaching, Cyril worked successfully in several parishes, including St. Mary's Carmelite in Joliet, Illinois, St. Cecilia's in Englewood, New Jersey (1961]62), and St. Patrick's in Niagara Falls, Ontario (the following year). His people and preaching skills again came to the fore.
After his teaching years, Cyril joined the Carmelite Mission Band, then headquartered at the former Provincial House in the Hyde Park section of Chicago. From there he went out to preach parish missions, plus retreats to religious and lay groups. He was popular with both adult and teen groups. His caring nature, great speaking skills, and considerable theology background all contributed to his success in doing the Lord's work in this field. He traveled to many parts of the United States and Canada preaching, exhorting and helping people to find God in their lives.
In 1970, Cyril was assigned back East to the St. Therese Chapel staff of the Northshore Shopping Center in Peabody, Massachusetts, not far from the former CJS in Hamilton, where he taught for a year before it closed.He was soon offered the position of history teacher at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, a position he held for many years.
Upon retirement, he moved back to his birthplace of Dorchester to care for an ailing brother. Cyril struggled for years with cancer but kept active to the end of his days. Not long before his death, he had gathered the poetry of the late Duncan Reilly, with whom he had taught in Joliet, and published it in the Carmelite Review.
Cyril was preparing to celebrate his Golden Jubilee of Ordination in 1997, and had requested this writer to preach at the celebration. But the Lord's call intervened on 25 August 1996.
A concelebrated Mass of the Resurrection was held at St. William's Church in Dorchester on 28 August 1996. Friend and classmate John Donahue was the principal celebrant with John Welch as the homilist.
Leo McCarthy, Provincial of the PCM Province, presided at the Mass. Concelebrants included two former Prior Generals of the Order, Killian J. Healy and John Malley. Other Carmelites and family and friends came to pay a final tribute to Cyril as a great man and Carmelite. Interment was at New Calvary Cemetery near Franklin Park, Massachusetts. A great Carmelite has gone home.
Obituary
He was in many ways a quintessential Boston (or more specifically, Dorchester) Irishman. He was more than proud of his Irish Heritage and his Boston background. An accomplished speaker and teacher, Cyril Thomas Fitzgerald never lost either. His excellent grasp of history, and also of theology, was put to great use in his life. He also had a wry sense of humor, and a way with words that often astonished his listeners.Cyril was born in Boston, Massachusetts just before the end of World War I. The date was 4 April 1918. He was the son of the late Edward and Ellen (Carey) Fitzgerald. His hard]working parents provided a good, if not affluent, home for their son, Tom, and his siblings. After attending public grade schools and St. Francis Xavier High School in Boston, Cyril felt the call to the priesthood. He initially joined the Society of the Divine Word in the Boston area. When he found that his calling was not in a distinctively missionary group, he looked around for another religious order.
After some searching, Cyril found what he had been looking for in a vocation: a group that focused on both teaching and preaching, among other things, and were concerned about spirituality, too.
He joined the Carmelites at Mount Carmel College in Niagara Falls, Ontario in 1942, to complete his college studies there, and to prepare for entry into the novitiate. The following year he joined the novitiate class at New Baltimore, Pennsylvania, and on 15 August 1944 he professed his simple vows as a Carmelite.
Having completed his college studies, Cyril went directly to Whitefriars Hall in Washington, D.C. to begin his studies in theology. He joined yet another class of seminarians and felt at home while he also diligently followed the course of studies. He also made his solemn profession on 15 May 1947.According to ordination classmate Robert Flaherty, Cyril was ordained to the priesthood on 7 June 1947 at St. Simon Stock Church in the Bronx, New York. Auxiliary Bishop Stephen Donahue of the Archdiocese of New York ordained Cyril and Robert Flaherty, along with members of the New York Carmelite Province: Jerome Bauer, Vincent McDonald, Francis Donahue, James Reilly and Lawrence Mooney. Shortly afterwards, Cyril returned to 1
Dorchester, Massachusetts to offer his First Mass. He then returned to complete his "simplex" year as a priest at Whitefriars Hall.
His first assignment after ordination was to the faculty of the Carmelite Junior Seminary in Hamilton, Massachusetts, where he taught American history to the seniors and other history courses to underclassmen.
He spent a good deal of time teaching about the famous Sacco (Nicola) and Vanzetti (Bartolomeo) case in Boston when the two Italian anarchists were found guilty of robbery and murder in 1921 and were executed in 1927. As a young lad, Cyril had experienced the trial, and his sympathies were much in favor of Sacco and Vanzetti who were not, in his estimation, given a fair trial in the midst of hysteria and anti]foreign feeling.
Perhaps his greatest "coup" that year was the presidential election of Harry S. Truman and his struggle against the Republican candidate, New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey. Most of the class, even though mainly Democrats, and much of the nation, didn't give Truman much of a chance. But Cyril held first and foremost for Truman. When the nation awoke after the November 1948 election to find Truman still in the White House, our class knew that Cyril had the last laugh. And we expected him to capitalize on this.
However, he came to class that day and didn't even mention the election. We waited and waited, but not a word. When the final bell for that class rang, Cyril walked out the door. Nothing! Then he stepped back into the classroom, smiled slightly and said: "I told you so!"In addition to his studies at Mount Carmel College, Cyril prepared himself for his apostolates with graduate studies in history at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. And while at Hamilton, he completed his M.A. studies in United States History at Boston College.
Following his years at Hamilton, Cyril was assigned to teach history at Joliet Catholic High School, Illinois for two terms of service, 1952]53 and 1955]60. Again he was a well]respected and popular teacher at the school. His preaching prowess again came to the fore. In those days, the outstanding preacher of the St. Elias Community (the priory next to the school) was usually assigned to Sunday assistance at St. Mary's Carmelite Church in downtown Joliet. Cyril held the post for several years. When three of his Hamilton "boys" (this writer, Brandon Shea and Godfrey Sill) came to Joliet, Cyril welcomed them and aided these new teachers by sharing his own concern and considerable teaching skills.From 1963]69, Cyril also taught at Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, Illinois, where his Boston accent and patrician attitude continued to impress the high school students in his classes.
In addition to his high school teaching, Cyril worked successfully in several parishes, including St. Mary's Carmelite in Joliet, Illinois, St. Cecilia's in Englewood, New Jersey (1961]62), and St. Patrick's in Niagara Falls, Ontario (the following year). His people and preaching skills again came to the fore.
After his teaching years, Cyril joined the Carmelite Mission Band, then headquartered at the former Provincial House in the Hyde Park section of Chicago. From there he went out to preach parish missions, plus retreats to religious and lay groups. He was popular with both adult and teen groups. His caring nature, great speaking skills, and considerable theology background all contributed to his success in doing the Lord's work in this field. He traveled to many parts of the United States and Canada preaching, exhorting and helping people to find God in their lives.
In 1970, Cyril was assigned back East to the St. Therese Chapel staff of the Northshore Shopping Center in Peabody, Massachusetts, not far from the former CJS in Hamilton, where he taught for a year before it closed.He was soon offered the position of history teacher at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, a position he held for many years.
Upon retirement, he moved back to his birthplace of Dorchester to care for an ailing brother. Cyril struggled for years with cancer but kept active to the end of his days. Not long before his death, he had gathered the poetry of the late Duncan Reilly, with whom he had taught in Joliet, and published it in the Carmelite Review.
Cyril was preparing to celebrate his Golden Jubilee of Ordination in 1997, and had requested this writer to preach at the celebration. But the Lord's call intervened on 25 August 1996.
A concelebrated Mass of the Resurrection was held at St. William's Church in Dorchester on 28 August 1996. Friend and classmate John Donahue was the principal celebrant with John Welch as the homilist.
Leo McCarthy, Provincial of the PCM Province, presided at the Mass. Concelebrants included two former Prior Generals of the Order, Killian J. Healy and John Malley. Other Carmelites and family and friends came to pay a final tribute to Cyril as a great man and Carmelite. Interment was at New Calvary Cemetery near Franklin Park, Massachusetts. A great Carmelite has gone home.
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