William Joseph Geenen

Geenen, William Joseph C.S.C.
April 28, 1930 - May 14, 2011

Brother William Joseph Geenen, C.S.C., age 81, died on May 14, 2011 at Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, Fla. He was born in Appleton, Wis., the youngest of seven children of William E. and Rose (Catlin) Geenen. He attended St. Joseph Elementary School and Appleton Senior High School. In 1946 he went to Sacred Heart Juniorate in Watertown, Wis., where he completed his high school studies and joined the Brothers of Holy Cross. He began his novitiate year at Rolling Prairie, Ind. in February 1948, pronouncing his first vows on Feb. 2, 1949. He then started his college studies at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas.
In the fall of 1951 he taught at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio for a year and then returned to Austin to both teach at St. Edward's High School and complete university courses, earning a Bachelor's degree in 1953. That summer, he was assigned to join the faculty at Gilmour Academy, Gates Mills, Ohio where he spent the next 20 years as a teacher, counselor, and administrator. He taught English writing and literature for three years and then was appointed principal for the next 12 years until 1968. He managed to earn a Master's degree by attending summer sessions at Loyola University in Chicago. He then became Gilmour's Director of Admissions for five years and fundraising until 1973. While on a recruiting trip, an event occurred which markedly changed his mission and ministry for the rest of his life.
In early 1973, Br William was in Florida visiting a man who was in intensive care in a Sarasota hospital. He was dying but was worried about his wife after he died, she had no family. William had to leave to drive to Tampa for a meeting but got in the wrong lane and pulled into a vacant lot to study the map. An elderly man came up to his car and said he lost his wife, was in poor health and lonely. At the time there wasn't much William could do. He didn't forget these encounters when he returned to Gilmour. After months of reflection, he spoke to his provincial, Brother Charles Krupp, about a plan to move to Sarasota, develop centers and respond to the loneliness and isolation of aging adults. Br Charles gave him permission to develop this new ministry. Br William arrived in Sarasota with his vision and recruited his first volunteer. He had a total of $79 in his checkbook. A name was needed for the ministry. Some suggested 'Senior Friendship Center,' but Br William said it must be plural, 'Centers' that could spread to other communities. Weeks later, they opened a little house and borrowed tables and chairs from a church to serve lunch, expecting a few people. More than 400 showed up. Volunteers increased, funds were found and Senior Friendship Centers was born. "People Helping People" became their motto. Their mission was to correct the isolation and loneliness which Br William called the "malnutrition of the elderly."
He drew inspiration from the example of Brother Andre Bessette who had a strong devotion to St. Joseph and developed a small chapel into a massive Oratory. Br William prayed to Br Andre' "to help him do something for others" when he either needed support to get the Friendship Centers started or new projects.
He possessed an ability to draw out other's talents. He could see what people needed and find resources. A friend said, "Br William can present his case in speaking to people who have means, and they open their pocketbooks."
The Senior Friendship Centers, Inc. are a private, non-profit, non-denominational corporation which deliver a wide variety of services. They received national attention when Charles Kuralt did a special feature on his CBS "On the Road" series. Presently there are (at least) Senior Friendship Centers' programs in five Florida counties including 24 dining sites, six neighborhood activities sites, four adult day-care facilities, and five medical clinics which serve more than 15,000 seniors.
In 1994, Br William participated in the Midwest Provincial Chapter where he was elected the new provincial. One said that William was elected because he accomplishes things and inspires people. He took over the responsibilities of overseeing the brothers and their ministries and turned over his reins as the founder/director of the Centers to Br. Charles Krupp. One idea that he began to pursue was to develop Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame for laypeople and Brothers as a multi-generational community with medical care and retirement opportunities. Villas and apartments were constructed. The project grew.
When Br William's 6-year term of provincial leadership ended in 2000, he returned to his beloved Senior Friendship Centers to resume activities. A newspaper article said, "The 'Energized Angel' has returned." He began work on another project, the Center for Healthy Aging, which today is a 13,000 sq. ft. building with more than 300 volunteers who deliver health care and programs for seniors on limited incomes.
Three years ago, the Brother William Geenen Founders Fund was established to ensure the future of the Senior Friendship Centers. Br William had already received more than 20 awards and honors including: Brotherhood Award from the Salvation Army, Life Membership with the Knights of Columbus, Outstanding Humanitarian for 2008, Citizen of the Year in 1987, Bicentennial Patriot Award in 1976 ... and in 1994 the street leading to the original Friendship Center was renamed 'Brother Geenen Way.'
One close friend was quoted in an article saying: "Br William is just a honest, compassionate, good man who has a vision and makes things happen. We sure were fortunate that he came to our community." His wrong turn in trying to find Tampa many years ago became a 'right turn' that has made thousands of people's lives healthier and happier, both in Florida and Indiana.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Toale Brothers Funeral Homes, Colonial Chapel. A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, May 18, 9:30 a.m. at St. Martha's Catholic Church.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 20, at St. Joseph's Chapel from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the grounds of Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame. The Mass of Resurrection will then follow with interment afterward in St. Joseph's Cemetery of the Village. Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Memorial contributions, in honor of Brother William Geenen, C.S.C., to support the mission and ministries of the Brothers may be sent to: Brothers of Holy Cross, Office of Development, P.O. Box 460, Notre Dame, IN 46556, or to the Senior Friendship Center.