Some of us remember that famous man, Patrick Harty, describing himself as physically strong (and proud of it!), but constitutionally unsound. (In those days we missed the double meaning of the word "constitution"). That was how Brian was set up too. His cricket years produced ankle troubles. Tennis produced tennis elbow. Golf, played but once, had him incapacitated in the chest and shoulders for days afterwards. Walking in Europe brought with it infected ingrown toenails. We see him on video winning an event in a boomerang competition and he's helping himself along on a metal walking stick. He certainly did not give up easily. Brian didn't sleep very well - late nights and early mornings meant he had a long day. He had plenty of time for research, organisation of materials, and for people. Brian was a people person as his numerous friends will testify. Maybe some of our higher superiors or Brothers working internationally are better known on the world stage but Brian would certainly have a place up there with the best of them.
His short illness and quick death will come as a shock to so many people who will feel their loss very deeply and look in vain for the person who fuelled their energy and enthusiasm as Brian did for so long. The number and variety of his contacts throughout the world is quite astounding as those who view his address book will testify. People didn't faze him usually. He joined prayer groups, family groups, discussion groups. He was Superior of large religious communities and Principal of several Primary Schools. He did feel uncomfortable if he was out-qualified. He could not act freely. By a strange co-incidence, April 20 1991 saw the end of his involvement in the classroom. This however opened up new fields for him and he became active in Aged Care and in the latter years in charities such as Caritas and Foresight and others.
He loved "Dad's Army". Perhaps because it was full of people relating to one another in most serious but humorous ways. He loved a games of cards: on the train in Italy with a Uni Student from Padua who taught Brian the Italian for the various cards as he taught him the English; on a train with a lovely German lady whose only English was "Bob Hope"; and he played cribb with Andy Dowd till life caught up with him. He loved his days at the Swans football matches. All those people were a tonic to him. Keeping a dozen seats or more for those friends who wouldn't come to the curtain raiser was no trouble to him. A great joy for him in more recent years was the growth in relationship with his brother Alan. He'd missed out growing up with him and was anxious to make up for lost time.
Those who saw Brian's Boomerang collection will find it hard to believe but his collection of photos of friends was even much greater. Brian wasn't much into the NATURE thing. Trees live on in boomerangs - a favourite saying of his. Brian knew only two birds, Swans and Magpies. (The popular name for two football teams he followed). How Brian, born in Collingwood and a Collingwood supporter for many years, could leave the Magpies for the Swans is impossible to explain. Perhaps Brian's troubles started earlier than we realised. Brian had visions of himself becoming the Swans Boomerang Coach. This year he had a postage stamp attachment printed of himself and a Swan's player, Michael O'Laughlin. Michael visited Brian in St Vincent's Hospital. He's a very fine footballer but a Swan never the less. Brian has a lot of explaining to do now the time of reckoning has come.
When Brian visited you - while others may bring a few beers or a couple of bottles of wine - Brian always arrived with fresh white doughy bread or rolls or both, buns with icing, cream filled cakes - anything very sugary. On his only trek into the back country of the ACT - one of only a few hours - he carried enough water to last a week and felt on his return he had never been so distant for such a long time from a food source. The tragedy of his last months was that he could eat hardly anything. Brian died on the very weekend of the Boomerang National Championships in Perth in Western Australia. He had hoped to be Edmund Rice's miracle but God had other plans. Instead of winging his ways to W.A., he was on his way to God for better things.
As I am sure many of you have already worked out, Brian, who taught not only the Swiss Guards but also the Border Guards at Check Point Charlie how to throw boomerangs, is probably currently engaged in teaching the intricacies of Boomerang Throwing to St Peter or any of those up there with free time on their hands.
While he was with us he did make a difference. His going leaves a void that will be hard to fill. May he rest in peace.