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Andrew O'Gara Obituary
BROTHER ANDREW O'GARA, FSC
AGE: 80 LINCROFT
Brother Andrew O'Gara, FSC, 80, of Lincroft died Saturday, Nov. 8, in the community residence at Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft. Brother Andrew had become the first President of Christian Brothers Academy in 1991, a position he held until his death. Prior to that appointment, Brother Andrew had been principal of CBA since 1979. A native of the Bronx, John O'Gara left home to study at the Christian Brothers junior novitiate in Barrytown, New York. In 1946, he received the habit of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the religious name Brother Andrew of Mary. After studies at Catholic University and Manhattan College, Brother Andrew served as teacher and administrator at La Salle Academy, N.Y.C. and Lincoln Hall, Lincolndale, N.Y. In 1966, he was appointed principal of St. Raymond Boys High School in the Parkchester section of the Bronx, a post he held for 13 years prior to his assignment at CBA where he spent the last three decades of his career.
The son of the late Conal and Catherine O'Gara, Brother Andrew was preceded in death by a sister, Sr. Mary Theresa O'Gara, SMR. He is survived by his brother, James and his wife, Barbara O'Gara and his sister, Catherine and her husband, John Callahan. Eight nieces and nephews, 10 grand nieces and nephews also survive, as do legions of admiring alumni from the schools where he served.
Brother Andrew's viewing will be at Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Brother Andrew at 10 a.m. Thursday in the McKay Gymnasium at Christian Brothers. Interment will follow at St. Gabriel's Cemetery, Marlboro. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brother Andrew Scholarship Fund at CBA. Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, is in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Andrew O'Gara
Albert Paladino
December 8, 2008
Dear Brother Andrew, may you rest in peace. I agree with the statement made by others that you even though you touched many lives at the Christian Brothers Academy in NJ, you belong to the Bronx and will always be remembered here. Many principals and even pastors of churches are untouchable, but I rememember how you walked the streets of our neighborhood and every so often I would bump into you. I truly believe that if there is a Heaven and if Jean Baptiste is truly a saint, then you are there, too, praying for us and will help us in ways you could not during your earthly life. Let us remember that we are in the Holy presence of God....Saint Jean-Baptiste De la Salle Pray For Us....Live Jesus in our Hearts....For ever.
Helen Livoti
November 24, 2008
I am so glad I got to know Brother Andrew. I remember stopping by to chat & laugh with him when I got out of school at St. Raymond's Girls School down the block from the Boy's School. He was a warm & wonderful person as well as a very funny man. I will miss him dearly.
Dr. Bob & Gale Grossman
November 22, 2008
Andrew, thank you for making CBA what it is. Your skills have allowed CBA to become the best high school. We will miss your smile , warmth and enthusiasm.
Tim Greco Class of '90
November 19, 2008
Brother Andrew always saw the good in me. And I thank you for that. Even though we did not see eye to eye. R.I.P.
John Carr
November 14, 2008
Dear Brother Andrew, Thank you for your guidance as it has always served me well and thank
you again for what you did for my family after my Dad passed away in
1972.
Bob Wysocki
November 14, 2008
"A teacher affects eternity - he never knows where his influence will end", so goes the saying. Brother Andrew, you were a legacy. Your wit, enhanced by your Bronx accent (I loved it 'cause I'm a "long-time-ago" Brothers' boy from Brooklyn), your recall of everybody and everything, and your warmth are qualities that I won't forget. Certainly, Jesus is now living in your heart forever. God bless you --- and thank you.
Kathleen Houlahan
November 13, 2008
"...the elements so mixed in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, This was a man!”--Shakespeare
Dear Brother Andrew,
The bard must have known you. Many kindnesses are done in private. Thank you for everything.
Jimmy Hamill
November 13, 2008
Brother Andrew had an unparalleled spirit and exuberance. He knew how to make you laugh at any moment and had an incredible memory for faces and names. He was a man of great intelligence, character and love. No amount of words I write can fully capture his identity. May you rest in peace, Brother Andrew, and thank you for the memories. I am proud and honored to have known you for the time I did.
Bill kirrane
November 13, 2008
He really gave LaSalle a spirit.
Bill Kirrane
LaSalle 1959
Mary Anne Ridoux
November 12, 2008
Brother Andrew was one in a million! I'll never forget that at my husband's wake (which was several years after my son, Serge, had graduated from CBA) I looked up and there was Brother Andrew to offer his condolences. I have many special memories of this very special, kind man. May his memory live in our hearts forever!
Gene Marbach
November 12, 2008
Brother Andrew was truly a magnificient individual and stands as a role model for what Christian education should be. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be missed.
Gene Marbach
St. Raymond's '71
Angelo D. Petraglia
November 12, 2008
Brother Andrew used to pull his car up alongside the xc team and shout off "7 mph! 8 mph!" I remember that. He also flew out to Notre Dame once a year and took all the CBA alumni there out to dinner. He will be truly missed by my father and I. May he rest in peace.
Jim Driscoll
November 11, 2008
Before CBA Brother Andrew called St.Raymonds High School for Boys in the Bronx home. He was and still is St. Raymonds. He always will be. Tonight the long line at CBA was a real atribute to this man of God. You could see the lives he touched in Lincroft But as I watched the crowds grow I could not help but think that he still belongs to the Bronx after all these years. God was smart to share Brother Andrew with all of us in the Bronx and in Middletown and Holmdel. Im sure he'll remember everyone's name in heaven too. God Bless you Brother Andrew for touching so many lives-- even those who spent their afternoons outside your office- on the "wall". - Jim Driscoll- St. Raymonds Class of 1981.
Patrick Fennell
November 11, 2008
Brother Andrew I'll always remember you at the start of the new school year with that stack of singles at the front door. I was always a recipient of a couple of them to get that haicut for the new school year. Many of us went on to be cops on the NYPD. If we could of only have mastered that one thing that nobody else had. How you could remember everyones name, face, grades, teachers, where they were so to be without even flinching an eye within the first week of school was amazing. I'm sure heaven doesn't need a police force but I'm sure He has made you CHIEF OF POLICE. You will always be remembered in the fondest of memories by me. St. Raymond's 1977
Frank Rotella ('98)
November 11, 2008
I remember Brother Andrew as full of joy and happiness. Before attending CBA, I went to an information session at CBA to learn about the school, etc. Brother Andrew came right up to me, greeted me, acting as if I was his best friend that he hadn't seen in years. He was one of the main reasons I chose to attend CBA. In talking with Brother Andrew, I clearly knew that he was proud of me and proud that I and all of his students attended CBA.
I remember as a freshman, he made it a point to talk to every person in the freshman class and tell them the secret to success at CBA and in life: to do a little bit of everything, everyday.
Brother Andrew continues to live in our heart.
Chris Kersting
November 11, 2008
God bless you and thank you, Brother Andrew. I was in awe of you as a 13 year freshman at St. Raymond's Boys HS in 1968. Eleven years later you gave me my first teaching job there. Your advice, and your confidence in me, have been the 'rock' on which I have built my teaching career. Live Jesus in Our Hearts. Forever.
Dan Coleman (Class of 1987)
November 11, 2008
Brother Andrew, may you rest in peace. You opened the world to so many of us through the years and we are all better men because of it. You will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have their lives touched by you.
Scott Fadynich
November 11, 2008
I a proud to have my son attend CBA, and have had the experience of being influenced by this great leader of men young and old. His years of dedication to the spirit of learning has molded many friends, I wish that I had known him better. Rest In Peace Brother Andrew, the world is a better place because of all you have done.
Gary Stover '63
November 11, 2008
I will miss the annual note from Brother Andrew. May he rest in peace.
Patrick Caputo
November 11, 2008
Brother Andrew,
A true icon, leader and ultimately a friend. I believe that the world is better because of him and I know that my family is blessed for having known him; In Our Hearts Forever.
Dr. & Mrs Patrick Caputo,
Christopher (CBA '05) and Emily
Lorraine Brown
November 11, 2008
I was so sorry to hear of Brother Andrew's passing. I'll always remember his laughter and comical personality. We will all miss him at CBA.
Lou Aversano - Class of 1984
November 11, 2008
Brother Andrew,
An incredible amount will be written about all that you've done for CBA. We will be forever indebted to you for that. Many people will speak about your incredible memory for names and faces. We will always remember you for that. All of us will smile as we remember your sense of humor and predilection for a story well told. But, most of all, we will remember you for your leadership. You, and the team you built along the way, took CBA to greater heights than those before could have ever dreamt of. Some say the true measure of a leader is the number of people they touch along the way. By that measure you are taller than them all. As one of the over 7,000 men to have had the good fortune to attend CBA under your leadership I will be eternally grateful. Thank you for all that you did. St. John Baptist De La Salle, pray for us. Live Jesus in our hearts, forever
George Kochman
November 10, 2008
My clue was: "Dad is a famous track coach."
But I never recall him ever asking me. After freshman year he simply knew everyone.
Br. Andrew's clue should be: "Will be missed by all."
Antonia Malone
November 10, 2008
Brother Andrew, You will be truly missed by all the Malones.. You took care of my sons Timothy and Michael and then my grandsons, Conor and Troy. For this and your gracious presence to so many, we give thanks. Tonie Malone
John Fee
November 10, 2008
Brother Andrew had my three daughters, Christine-Carolyn-Kathleen, receive CBA diplomas for their work in the Brother's kitchen. This was in recognition for their work on most school nights during their years at RBC the 1980s. I often wondered since then if Andrew had a secret desire to make CBA coed...but who wants to go there...not me. He was much as a father to them as I was. I remained proud of the girls for those diplomas and for their love for Andrew. To this day, while driving on Route 520 by CBA, I reminicse about Andrew, always with both a smile and a tear. The girls are now married and scattered from Maine to Chicago. Tomorrow, Carolyn will join me with her two children, Marianna and Daniel, at the McKay gym, on a special day for me, veteran's day. We will look down at 4-year old Daniel, also born in the Bronx, but a Red Sox fan...we will look at Andrew...we will smile and cry and re-live thirty years of CBA in the kitchen, Leedsville Drive in the parlor...Brother Andrew, a part of the family, forever in our hearts.
rob eckert
November 10, 2008
brother andrew was such a wonderful man who truly taught the real meaning of christain attitude to many young men and their families. my family and i will always remember his kindness .Brother may the wind be always at your back.
Stash Lisowski
November 10, 2008
Truly someone we all admired during our stay at CBA and enjoyed seeing upon our return visits. He, and his incredible knack for remembering everyone's name, will be dearly missed.
Frank Mauceri
November 10, 2008
Brother Andrew O'Gara was a great leader of the young men he taught at CBA. He will be missed by all. May he rest in peace.
Michael Xenakis (CBA '90)
November 10, 2008
It was just a week ago that I was relating stories of Br. Andrew to my friends and all he did to foster us.
Rest in peace.
Barbara Lagowski
November 10, 2008
They that love beyond the world
Cannot be separated by it.
Death is but crossing the world,
As friends do the seas;
They live in one another still.
-William Penn
How lucky my son and I have been to have experienced the warm embrace of Brother Andrew! He will truly live in us -- and in hundreds of others he touched -- forever.
Suzanne Fream
November 10, 2008
November 10, 2008
My family , and especially my two sons, Christopher, and Win Fream, wish to acknowledge and thank everyone at CBA, for the excellence the CBA experience. This was due in no small measure to the presence, professionalism, and generous, warm personality of Brother Andrew. He is irreplaceable and will never be forgotten..
Timothy Cahill '08
November 10, 2008
Brother Andrew was truly a man of God, and will be missed by the CBA community. He made every student feel welcomed from the first day that they walked in the doors until they graduated four years later. He is the model of a Lasallian educator.
Joan Raymond`
November 10, 2008
Brother Andrew, my heart will forever be filled with all you've given me. I will miss our monthly lunches at Buono Sera. My children and I loved you so very much.
Bob Birmingham (CBA 82)
November 10, 2008
Brother Andrew will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched.
Bryan Curley (CBA '91)
November 10, 2008
I was deeply saddened to hear of Brother Andrew's passing. He was a great man and a great principal. I know that I will always have many fond memories of him from my time at CBA. He leaves behind a great legacy.
Stephen Scott
November 10, 2008
Brother Andrew-
Truly you deserve the canticle we use for night prayer:
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; Your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sire of every people: a light to reveals you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.
Well done, good and faithful servant!
Steve, Peg, Stephen & James Scott
Bernadette ,Frank Delany & Boys
November 10, 2008
Brother Andrew you are a wonderful person and will be missed at CBA. May you now rest in peace with God. Our prayers go out to your family.
The Delany Family ('96,'98 & '00)
Francine Semaya
November 10, 2008
On behalf of the Semaya family, we are grieved at the loss of Brother Andrew, who did so much to welcome Scott and David into the CBA family. Brother Andrew and the entire CBA community will live in our hearts and prayers.
Mark Allen '81
November 10, 2008
Brother Andrew was a wonderful man. One of his many gifts was to make each student and each person he met feel special. Each time I met him he would remember my name and graduation year. Even though that was 27 years ago he was often correct.
He touched as many hearts as possible and I feel privileged that mine was one of them. His warm spirit will forever be associated with CBA.
Condolences to his Family and Friends.
Michael Ryan (CBA '90)
November 10, 2008
Rest in peace Brother Andrew, you were a great man and teacher.
Christopher Hammer
November 10, 2008
There will never be anyone like Brother Andrew...ever again.
Few people in NJ have affected as many people over the past 30 years... May he RIP.
John Cahill
November 10, 2008
Brother Andrew was a great man of God who is sure to be missed by the many thousands of students whose lives he touched.
Helen Behrens
November 10, 2008
Brother Andrew will be greatly missed by the entire CBA family. He always made each boy and their family feel truly special. He will remain in our prayers.
fjohn reinke (MC1968)
November 10, 2008
The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself … any man’s death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.
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