Brother Robert Emmet Lavelle C.S.C.

BROTHER ROBERT EMMET LAVELLE, C.S.C.

July 21, 1940 – January 22, 2026

Notre Dame, IN. Brother Robert Emmett Lavelle, C.S.C., 85, died on January 22 at Dujarié House, Holy Cross Village. He had been ill for several weeks.

Brother Robert was born in Cleveland, OH to Michael and Maud Lavelle (née Kilbane), the last of 13 children. He went to both St. Patrick and St. Christopher Elementary Schools and graduated from St. Edward High School, Lakewood, OH in 1958. He entered the juniorate program for the Brothers of Holy Cross on June 17, 1958 in Watertown, WI, and made first vows at St. Joseph Novitiate, Rolling Prairie, IN on August 16, 1959. He attended St. Edward's University in 1959, graduating with a BA in Education in 1964. He then went to Kent State University, Kent, OH and obtained an MA in education in 1971. He also did academic work at John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH, Catherine Spaulding College, Louisville, KY, Marymount College, Los Angeles, CA and Boston College, Boston, MA.

Brother Robert's first teaching assignment was at Sacred Heart Military Academy, Watertown, WI from 1963-1965. He then served at Archbishop Hoban High School, Akron, OH from 1965-1976. For the past 43 years, he served at Gilmour Academy, Gates Mills, OH. From 1976-1980, as assistant headmaster and from 1980-1981 as acting headmaster. He was appointed headmaster in 1981 and served until 2015. He was then appointed director of the Bishop Gilmour Institute for two years and began a ministry to the homeless in Cleveland, OH. He also served the Midwest Province of Brothers as a member of the Provincial Council (1979-82, 1985-91 and 2009-18) and as assistant provincial and vicar from 2018 until his death.

Brother Robert is preceded in death by his parents and his 12 brothers and sisters: Michael, Katherine Wyar, Thomas, Bernard, Sr. Mary Ann Lavelle, CSJ, Frank, Lawrence, Loretta Seidl, Theresa Gullion, Margaret, Eileen Adams, and Joseph. He is survived by 38 nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at St. Joseph Chapel, Holy Cross College from 9:00-10:00 am on the grounds of Holy Cross Village. The Mass of Resurrection will then follow with interment afterward in St. Joseph's Cemetery at Holy Cross Village. Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Donations may be made to the Brother Robert E. Lavelle, C.S.C. Memorial Scholarship Fund at gilmour.org/BrRobert. For those who are unable to attend, the funeral will be livestreamed at https://bit.ly/4aggm1O