1941 – 2023

Brother Dominic Smith, FSC

Born Patrick Francis Smith in Hanover PA on 13 March 1941
Died at De La Salle Hall in Lincroft NJ on 29 January 2023
Entered the Ammendale MD Novitiate on 15 June 1959
Received the Religious Habit and Name Dominic Alphonsus on 7 September 1959
Pronounced Perpetual Vows in Philadelphia PA on 30 August 1966

Words of Remembrance for Brother Dominic Smith, FSC

Written by John Smith (The oldest of the five Smith Brothers)
Delivered by Thomas Smith (The youngest of the five Smith Brothers)
Mass of Christian Burial
La Salle Hall Chapel
Beltsville, MD
February 3, 2022

Brother Dominic is “Pat” in our Smith Family. I am writing this as my participation in the celebration of Pat’s life. I am John. I am the oldest of the five Smith boys. We were also privileged to have five girls in the family.

Pat was born on March 13, 1941. That was just four days before St. Patrick’s Day. I wonder if that is the reason our parents christened him Patrick Francis Smith. Francis was the middle name of our grandfather on the Smith side.

I want to share some memories of our family’s times with Pat. One of my earliest recollections of Pat and I playing together was when we would go back in the field of our mini farm and across the creek where we had two favorite trees that we could climb. I took the larger tree and Pat could have the smaller one. We spent a lot of time there. I guess our mother knew we went back there.

Growing up together went quickly. Sometimes it seems like we would just do our own things. When recently I mentioned that to Pat, he would say, “That was a long time ago.” He was right. Now is the important time.

When Pat was in high school, he knew he wanted to join the Christian Brothers. He had a mentor, Brother Rene Sterner, who helped him.

The family often visited Pat when he was in the novitiate in Beltsville. We always enjoyed seeing Pat and knew he was happy to be a Christian Brother. We have many memories of the times and places we spent with Pat. Pat took us, his brothers, to Ocean Rest for a weekend. He invited my family and me to Philadelphia where we toured all the historic points of interest. We had more that one trip to Philly.

We spent time and celebrated with Pat when he took his vows. I remember Elkins Park very well. The family also visited him in Arlington, Virginia.

I think Pat spent more time with my family and me than he did with the others for which I am very grateful. Pat came to Milwaukee many times: our wedding, the baptism of a child, a Thanksgiving when he was in Illinois, our fiftieth wedding anniversary, to mention a few. Pat was always at any family occasion to celebrate with them.

I am especially happy and grateful for all the times that I, my wife Kathy, and our three kids spent with Pat in Pittsburgh. We all stayed at our brother’s residence several times when we travelled to Pennsylvania. Pat gave us tours of Pittsburgh. Those memories will last forever.

Pat willingly accepted his assignments and challenges especially at Bethlehem University as Library Director. We celebrated milestone achievements with Pat: his 50th anniversary in Washington and his 60th anniversary in Beltsville.

We are thankful for the care the Christian Brothers and staff have given our brother these last few weeks. We are proud to have had Pat, our brother, in our family, and we are proud of what Pat has accomplished in his lifetime.

Pat, we know you will rest in eternal peace. Goodbye, Brother Dominic.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.

ASSIGNMENTS

1960–1964
Elkins Park PA
La Salle College (scholasticate)

1964–1971
Arlington VA
Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School

1971–1982
Wyndmoor PA
La Salle College High School

1982–1996
Pittsburgh PA
Central Catholic High School

1996–1997
Wyndmoor PA
La Salle College High School

1997–2007
Bethlehem Palestine
Bethlehem University

2007–2008
Santa Fe NM
Sangre de Cristo (1st semester – renewal)
Pittsburgh PA
Central Catholic High School (2nd semester – resident)

2008–2022
Beltsville MD
Bethlehem University Foundation

2022–2023
Beltsville MD
La Salle Hall (resident)

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Friday, 3 February 2023

Visitation – 10.30am to 11.00am
Funeral Mass – 11.00am
La Salle Hall Chapel
6001 Ammendale Road · Beltsville MD 20705

Interment – private
De La Salle Cemetery
6001 Ammendale Road · Beltsville MD 20705

Reception following

Brother Dominic died peacefully on Sunday morning after a brief respite in hospice care.

The District of Eastern North America remembers Brother Dominic with memorial liturgies according to the tradition of the Institute. Through their prayers, communities and individuals entrust Brother Dominic to God’s loving care.

† May he rest in peace. †