Eulogy for Brother James Gerard Dixon.xml
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7/6/2021
Eulogy for Brother James Gerard Dixon
https://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall/obits/jamesgerarddixon.html
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(March 4, 1929 - April 16, 1999)
by John Sugrue ('60) 1220 Puritan Avenue, Bronx NY 10461 718-823-7749
jsugrue@stjohnsprepschool.org)
In 1952 as a junior at St. Ann’s Academy I had the good fortune of meeting Brother
James Gerard. As a young monk assigned to St. Helena’s High School eight years
later, my good fortune continued, for Brother James was on the faculty there. He
was most supportive of me in the classroom and especially in community.
In 1972 when I took a leave of absence and eventually changed vocations, Jay
was still most supportive - our friendship didn’t change. In 1974 he was my best
man when I married Kathleen, and in 1979 he was godfather to our second
daughter Kerry.
When our daughters Beth and Kerry were growing up, we spent many a day at
Avenue C in Bayonne for a cookout, and at the various residences where Jay and
Frank Farrell lived for a visit and dinner. Even when the girls became teenagers,
they still enjoyed going to see “Uncle Jay.” They were always comfortable with
him, as he always had a sincere interest in what they were doing.
Brother James was a religious who taught not so much by words but by his
actions. He certainly did good quietly. He also enjoyed the good things in life -
going to the opera, a good dinner, travel.
When we got the call from Jay’s sister Catherine about his death, one of the
hardest things for us was to call Kerry, a sophomore at Marist College, and Beth
who was studying in the Marymount program at University College, Galway,
Ireland. I told the girls that knowing Jay he was on the best trip of his life. (Over the
years as we traveled together, he used to tease me that I should have rented a
convertible.) Kerry reminded me that he was probably driving around heaven in his
red convertible.
It has been over a year since Jay died; we still miss him. When I pray for special
favors, I have a litany of saints that I pray to - my mother and father, my sister
Marie, and added to that list as of April 1999 was Brother James Gerard Dixon
(’46). He is a true son of Champagnat. Rest in peace, Jay.
Eulogy for Brother James Gerard Dixon
https://academic2.marist.edu/foy/maristsall/obits/jamesgerarddixon.html
1/1
(March 4, 1929 - April 16, 1999)
by John Sugrue ('60) 1220 Puritan Avenue, Bronx NY 10461 718-823-7749
jsugrue@stjohnsprepschool.org)
In 1952 as a junior at St. Ann’s Academy I had the good fortune of meeting Brother
James Gerard. As a young monk assigned to St. Helena’s High School eight years
later, my good fortune continued, for Brother James was on the faculty there. He
was most supportive of me in the classroom and especially in community.
In 1972 when I took a leave of absence and eventually changed vocations, Jay
was still most supportive - our friendship didn’t change. In 1974 he was my best
man when I married Kathleen, and in 1979 he was godfather to our second
daughter Kerry.
When our daughters Beth and Kerry were growing up, we spent many a day at
Avenue C in Bayonne for a cookout, and at the various residences where Jay and
Frank Farrell lived for a visit and dinner. Even when the girls became teenagers,
they still enjoyed going to see “Uncle Jay.” They were always comfortable with
him, as he always had a sincere interest in what they were doing.
Brother James was a religious who taught not so much by words but by his
actions. He certainly did good quietly. He also enjoyed the good things in life -
going to the opera, a good dinner, travel.
When we got the call from Jay’s sister Catherine about his death, one of the
hardest things for us was to call Kerry, a sophomore at Marist College, and Beth
who was studying in the Marymount program at University College, Galway,
Ireland. I told the girls that knowing Jay he was on the best trip of his life. (Over the
years as we traveled together, he used to tease me that I should have rented a
convertible.) Kerry reminded me that he was probably driving around heaven in his
red convertible.
It has been over a year since Jay died; we still miss him. When I pray for special
favors, I have a litany of saints that I pray to - my mother and father, my sister
Marie, and added to that list as of April 1999 was Brother James Gerard Dixon
(’46). He is a true son of Champagnat. Rest in peace, Jay.
