M. Colin Havard

1935 - 2023

Mark Colin Havard passed away on October 9, 2023, at the age of 88. He was born in Oxford, England, the son of Robert E. Havard, M.D. and Grace Mary Middleton. He is the brother of John (Anne) Havard of Edinburgh; Mary Clare (and the late Patrick) Sheahan of London; the late Peter (and the late Pam) Havard; and the late David Havard. Colin's father had among his patients C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. They invited him to join their Oxford literary group the Inklings.

In 1944 Mark began attending boarding school at Gilling Castle, the primary division of the British boarding school Ampleforth. Upon graduation he applied to join the Benedictine monastic community which ran Ampleforth. He was accepted and given the name Brother Colin. While he is still known to many in England as Mark, others in America know him as Colin.

Upon completing his Master's degree at Oxford, he was ordained a priest and taught at Ampleforth. He was then sent to St. Louis Priory, which Ampleforth had founded a few years before. He taught and assisted Father Luke Rigby, who was procurator at that time. After ten years, for several psychological reasons, he applied for a leave of absence and later, with the assistance of Father Luke, received a dispensation and left the monastery and the priesthood and moved to New York. He became an American citizen and changed his legal name to Mark Colin Emlyn Havard.

After marrying Mary Ellen McShane and adopting two beloved sons, Mark and Michael, the family moved back to St. Louis. There, Colin worked in computer technology until his retirement. In his later years, he enjoyed reading, listening to music, recording texts for blind readers through Mind's Eye, swimming, summer in Michigan and spending time with his family, especially his two grandchildren, Ian and Grace, both of whom he especially adored. He had several health problems but found peace and tranquility in the habit of prayer and meditation he had first learned as a monk.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Ellen; his loving sons, Mark (Lauren) and Michael; his wonderful grandchildren, Ian and Grace; his brother, sister, brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews both in America and in the United Kingdom; and many cherished friends.



A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 28, at 8:45 AM at St. Louis Abbey.