
Originally published in The Gateway Issue No. 1 (March 2008)
Joseph Dunne was born in Camp, County Kerry, Ireland on 2nd July 1914, right at the start of World War 1. The little town is located beside a bay which opens out to the vast Atlantic ocean. The hinterland is dotted with lovely hills and valleys. Joseph was the fifth in a family of eight boys and one girl. The family grew up on a farm.
He attended the local primary school at a turbulent time in Irish history. He retained vivid memories of the reign of the Black and Tans and later the Civil War when violence and terror stalked the land. When a recruiter for the De La Salle Brothers visited the school, Joseph volunteered and the rest, as they say, is history.
In 1928, he joined the De La Salle Brothers and took the Habit in September 1930 followed by the Novitiate year. The following year he was sent to England to further his studies and it was there that he volunteered for the missions. In 1932 a group of six young Brothers and three mission returnees set out for the East from Marseilles. Among them were Brother Cassian Brigant and Brother Felix Sheehan, with both of whom he would later share community in Hong Kong.
On arrival in Penang, Brendan was first posted to St Xavier’s Institution but within months was heading for St Joseph’s College, Hong Kong. He was 19 years old. His first teaching term in Hong Kong was from 1933 to 1936 and Brother Matthias Linehan was the Director, a man for whom he had a high regard. It was a heady time, for the College was celebrating its Diamond Jubilee. Already, two prominent aspects of Brother Brendan’s lifestyle were emerging: a determination to make his lessons in class both interesting and understandable, and a love of hiking.
From 1936 to 1941, Brother Brendan was back in Malaysia and taught in St. John’s Institution, Kuala Lumpur and in St. Xavier’s Institution, Penang. One Brother summed him up as a teacher at this time:
“His students revered him. He put such sparkle into his lessons. He had that twinkle, that almost mischievous smile that put the pupils in a mood to respond. And when he got the right answer he expressed his delight with an expression in Chinese, English or French. He was almost continental in his gestures and facial expressions and could add mimicry that would do justice to Marcel Marceau”.
Brendan was still in Penang when the Japanese invasion took place 8th December 1941. As with many Brothers, he was now not allowed to teach which he found frustrating. He along with a number of other Brothers decided to try their luck living in a jungle camp at Bahau, known as the ‘Fuji Go’. He was a tower of strength in the camp. With his pipe, his black hat, his tall muscular body, his repertoire of stories, his mimicry and unfailing good humour, his company was a tonic in the depressing circumstances. Living and suffering, surviving and dying were commonplace for the next two years. Like most of the others, Brendan succumbed to malaria attacks but bounced back each time, perhaps because he was now thirty and in his prime.
After surviving the War, a holiday home was the order of the day and much appreciated by his family. He had not been home for thirteen years. By October 1947 he was back East, this time as a member of the teaching staff at St. Joseph’s College, Hong Kong. In 1949 he was appointed Vice Principal with Brother Raphael Egan as Principal. They formed a wonderful partnership and worked very well together to put St. Joseph’s back on a firm post-war footing. The Communist take-over in China had resulted in a flood of refugees whose offspring swelled the school population. Many of these students were living from hand to mouth and it was on these that Brother Brendan lavished his care and compassion.
He taught a full day despite his administrative commitments. He was thorough, dedicated and demanding but also considerate, kind and understanding. Many of his old pupils remember how he used to stress the importance of writing a correct sentence and paragraph. If you could write a correct sentence you could write a correct paragraph and thence a correct composition. He would spend a whole lesson teaching just a few sentences. He seemed to know all the common mistakes in English made by Chinese boys. He hammered home the grammar basics. No wonder it was difficult not to get credits or distinctions in his class.
One of his pupils, who would later become a teacher in the College, stresses brother Brendan’s unlimited patience. He would talk with you about your mistakes for hours on end. He would make you write one fine copy after another until the piece was perfect. It was difficult to win against him in regard to patience, argument or anything else, so that in the end you simply had to submit!
He was also spiritual director of the Star of the Sea Legion of Mary Praesidium, never missing the weekly meeting. In addition he would instruct boys who wished to become Catholics.
One of his pupils at the time, Charles Kao, was to become the Nobel Laureate for Physics, often regarded as ‘the father of fibre optics’. On a recent visit to his alma mater, Charles recalled how Brother Brendan had a formula whenever he wanted to motivate his students to study hard. He would ‘request’ them to have certain answers ready for him the following day. And “if you fail to answer my question correctly, I shall send you to Queen Mary with my left fist!” Now, Queen Mary is a government hospital! He always followed this threat with a mischievous smile while he shadow-boxed with left and right jabs. Needless to say, nobody was ever sent to Queen Mary in such circumstances.
When Brother Raphael was transferred to Sabah in 1957 Brother Brendan succeeded him as Principal. Excellent academic standards were maintained and the spiritual life of the school was not overlooked. Brother Peter Phelan was with him at the time and says: “During my ten years in community with him I never knew him to use corporal punishment of any kind. He was well liked by the teachers, and even more by the non-academic staff.” Indeed, he had a prodigious memory for the names of his past pupils and former teachers and had a fund of anecdotes connected with them.
If he had any weakness it was erring on the side of kindness. Teachers would sometimes complain that he treated the naughty boys too leniently. When they were sent to see him in his office, he would sit them down, smoke his pipe, have a chat and give them sweets. No wonder they returned to class, all smiles! Perhaps this was Brendan’s way of letting teachers know that they should find a better way of dealing with naughty students than sending them to see the Headmaster.
As Principal of a leading school in the territory, he embarked on an ambitious project of redevelopment and upgrading. In 1961 the original school building (called the Club Germania) facing Kennedy Road was demolished and a splendid new wing erected within 2 years. In addition a new school hall was erected on the east wing. At the time St Joseph’s was the envy of many schools because it could boast of two school halls. Governor Sir Robert Black and Superior General Brother Nicet Joseph officiated at the opening of the new school building and Bishop Bianchi performed the blessing. Brother Nicet paid a special tribute to two stalwarts in the history of St Joseph’s, Bishop Raimondi and Brother Aimar. The new wing remains a monument to Brother Brendan’s careful planning and supervision. The top floor became the residence for the Brothers.
Brother Alphonsus Breen, who joined the St Joseph’s community in 1962 recalled: “He was easy to live with, gave us ample freedom and rarely interfered. Ever even-tempered, he never allowed himself to be upset by persons or events. He was sympathetic to the pupils, especially those who got into trouble, and took a personal interest in the poor boy”.
In 1964, having completed his term as Principal and Director he went on home leave after which he was posted to La Salle Secondary School, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Here he teamed up again with Brother Raphael Egan until 1966 when he was appointed Director and Principal. Circumstances were very different to those in Hong Kong but Brendan settled in and grew very attached to the students, many of whom were relatively poor. He had particular time for the boarders and spent much time chatting with or counseling them. After his death one of them had this to say: “For us, the boarders, his attentive ears provided the solace for young troubled minds at times”. On the school front, he provided facilities for the newly opened sixth form classes and before his term expired he admitted the first batch of girls into Form 6. On the community front he had a three-storey community residence built for the Brothers
In 1969 he was back in Hong Kong, at first as a teacher in La Salle College, but two years later he was appointed the first Principal of Chong Gene Hang College on Hong Kong Island. The school is located in a resettlement and industrial area and it was the first secondary school there. He had to commute every day from St Joseph’s College to Chong Gene Hang, but there was no complaint. At once Brother Brendan got down to business, recruited a young staff and set about creating a warm and homely school climate. He spent eight years in this post and the school soon developed a spirit and identity of its own with a strong sense of belonging among staff and students. Since the school lacked sports facilities, he encouraged cross country running with the result that the school was soon grabbing headlines. Brother Brendan’s generosity and largeness of heart was much appreciated by both the school and the local community.
At a Speech Day for the school in 1974, we get a glimpse of Brother Brendan’s thinking in relation to the school. Addressing the boys directly he said: “Well then, for your own good and for the reputation of the entire school, make sure you behave responsibly, and make it easier for the other boys to behave well too. Always remember you carry the reputation of the school with you wherever you go. You are the School!”
In 1979 he reached retiring age and bade farewell to a school he loved and set fair to flourish. Retirement saw him giving a hand to unemployed youth at Benburb Base, a Lasallian Centre in London and to a private Catholic school in Sabah. He had a calming effect on these young people undergoing hardship or trial and, if he felt it was justified, would move heaven and earth to help them.
In 1981, he was to return to his second home, St. Joseph’s College Hong Kong, where he would live out his final years, keeping in touch with old boys of St Joseph’s and Chong Gene Hang, entertaining visitors and deepening his spiritual life, especially through prayer and a study of the Scriptures. There were no frills in his spiritual diet. The Mass, meditation, the rosary and the Legion of Mary were the mainstays. He was still devoted to hiking and to smoking his pipe. After a good workout on a hot and humid afternoon, he would return dripping with perspiration and enjoy a smoke and a bottle of beer. Other hobbies included doing the daily newspaper cryptic crossword. It was beyond most of us but to Brendan it was a breeze.
“During these years he traveled a lot, visiting relatives in England, Ireland and Australia” writes Brother Thomas Favier. He kept in touch with former students and figured prominently at annual reunions. At a recent dinner and dance the Guest of Honour, a leading government official, spoke of how Brendan, back in the 1950’s, put him on his feet when things were low for him. As the official resumed his seat midst much applause, Brendan drifted by, gave him a swish of his serviette, and said:” ’You talk a lot of nonsense!’.” His memory for the names and work of old boys was phenomenal.
In the ordinary day to day events of life, Brother Brendan meant many things to many people. To many he was simply a friend, a good friend, because if Brendan became your friend you were a friend for life. To others he was a counselor, gifted with insight and understanding and lending a discerning ear to those who confided in him. To still others he was a rock and a refuge in times of trouble or distress. Brendan, puffing his pipe, usually had a calming effect on people undergoing trials. And he would help them in every possible way.
Some two years before his death he was in hospital for cystectomy. He took some time to adjust but the main trouble came from a weakening of the heart. As he needed more and more care, Brothers Alphonsus Breen and Thomas Favier saw to his daily needs. They arranged for nursing help, doctor’s visits, room-cleaning and made sure he was settled for sleep every night.
The story of Brother Brendan’s last few days and hours is easily told. For some days he had slowed down a lot and was eating little. Yet, on the evening of the 6th March 1998, a first Friday, he managed to make his way as usual to St Joseph’s Church, for Mass and first Friday devotions. That night, some time after 10 o’clock, Brother Alphonsus went to look in on Brendan and see if he was settled for the night. He found him lying quietly on the floor and, sensing that there was no time to lose, he called an ambulance and a doctor. Brother Brendan, however, passed away peacefully before the ambulance arrived.
The funeral mass was held on the 18th March in Christ the King Chapel with Bishop John Tong as chief celebrant. There was a large attendance of former staff and students, government officials and religious. St Joseph’s College scouts provided a guard of honour. Present too were two nieces, Kathleen and Mary, from Australia as well as Mary’s husband. Brother Patrick Tierney gave the homily. Brother Brendan was laid to rest in the De La Salle Brothers’ plot in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Happy Valley.
Brother Philip Callaghan, a companion of the pre-war and war years, wrote a poem tribute, one verse of which goes as follows:
“There will be a void, not a voiceless void;
Vibrant voices shall recall your legend
Speaking praise of your friendliness and loyalty;
How you evangelized relaying the truth;
Were counselor and guide for bewildered youth”.
Or this one from Brother Patricius;
“Yours was no lingering demise
Nor slow drift to decay
Death flung its portals sudden wide
As you sped from Life away
You folded up like to a flower
At evening’s dimming light
You turned from Time’s darkling hours
And bade the world good night
You went upon your pilgrim path
And gave to death the nod
Then star-ward sped from our dark sphere
Into the arms of God
At the back of Brother Brendan’s memorial card is a touching tribute from one of his former students entitled “I will remember”. It goes:
You had a way with things
The class will never forget you
Neither will I.