BROTHER XAVIER PANKOVITS, FSC
1942-2024
Born Richard Louis Pankovits in Detroit MI on 29 December 1942
Died at De La Salle Hall in Lincroft NJ on 9 January 2024
Entered the Barrytown NY Novitiate on 6 June 1960
Received the Religious Habit and Name Xavier Lewis on 7 September 1960
Pronounced Perpetual Vows at Manhattan College in 1967
ASSIGNMENTS
1962–1965 Washington DC De La Salle College (scholasticate)
1965–1971 Detroit MI De La Salle Collegiate High School
1971–1974 Buffalo NY Saint Joseph’s Collegiate Institute
1974–1975 Detroit MI De La Salle Collegiate High School
1975–1976 Santa Fe NM Sangre de Cristo Retreat Center (September session)
1976–1980 Detroit MI De La Salle Collegiate High School
1980–2012 Warren MI De La Salle Collegiate High School
2012–2023 Warren MI The Food Pantry (volunteer)
2023–2024 Lincroft NJ De La Salle Hall (resident)
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
A Funeral Mass was celebrated in the Brothers’ Community at De La Salle Collegiate High School on Saturday, 20 January 2024.
A private interment will be scheduled in the Spring.
Brother Xavier died peacefully on Tuesday, January 9th after a brief respite in hospice care.
The District of Eastern North America remembers Brother Xavier with memorial liturgies according to the tradition of the Institute. Through their prayers, communities and individuals entrust Brother Xavier to God’s loving care.
† May he rest in peace. †
Thank you for your friendship, dear friend. Rest in God’s peace.
Brother Xavier was my sophomore honors chemistry teacher at De La Salle High School in Warren, MI. As a teacher, he always cared for his students success. Although he ran his classroom tight, he had a soft side to him. As I think more, every class he started with a short scripture passage. He was also one of the reasons I ended up going to DLS after talking to him at the open house. Rest in peace, Brother Xavier. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” St. John Baptist De La Salle, pray for us. Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.
I remember the short scripture passage at the beginning of every class. We made fun at times because the passage was at times brief and completely without context. Nonetheless, it was a nice way of including at least some small mention of the Word every day, and that notion stuck with me for quite a while, even if I have neglected the practice as the years went by. I’ll be reading a passage today. May he rest in peace.
Brother Xavier taught me Earth Science in sophomore year at DLS at the Detroit location in 1971. Always a serious but fair teacher. May he rest in peace!
Brother Xavier was a remarkable man. I became a chemist in part because of his chemistry classes. So did my twin. When I look at the percentage of boys from our AP Chemistry class that later became chemists, it becomes clear that Brother Xavier was not only a good teacher but also an inspiration and a role model. He lived a full life and he managed to help so many others along the way. I will pray for him and be forever grateful for our times together.
Rest In peace Brother Xavier. You were one of my favorite teachers at DLS. You made class always interesting and inspiring. You weren’t much older than my freshman class and we really needed your support and encouragement that first year. God bless you for your lifetime work of making boys into young successful men.
All the love from me, Brother.
A lifelong friend for 68 years. We lived on the same street and grew up together. We always kept in contact with each other and as the
years passed and he taught in Warren we became closer. He even taught our son , who when he graduated, was awarded a medal in
chemistry. I will miss our visits and lunches. You are a true friend. Rest in Peace.
I’m not sure I would have gone on to major in biochemistry and get into med school without Brother X. Great teacher. No time for “hogwash,” as he would have said.
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.