Brother David P. Tierney

TIERNEY, Brother David P. SDB of the Salesians of Don Bosco went to the Lord on Jan. 28, 2011 in St. Petersburg after 93 years. Born of David and Helen Reilly Tierney on Dec. 23, 1917 in Glasgow, Scotland, his family moved to Philadelphia when he was 10. He attended St. Leo's Church there, went to school and held several jobs until he became interested in religious life as a Catholic Brother, making his vows with the Salesians in Newton, NJ on Sept. 8, 1944. He initially carried out humble chores, but soon turned to teaching English and graphic arts, including a period at Mary Help of Christians School in Tampa (1958-59). In 1971 he earned a B.A. in English at Cal State in Los Angeles, and an M.A. in education from Boston's Suffolk University in 1976. Over the years Bro. David taught English at Salesian schools in Boston, New Rochelle, NY and Paterson, NJ with a period between 1981-1983 when tutored children at the Salesian Boys & Girls Club in Columbus, OH. He retired to the Marian Shrine in Stony Point, NY in 2000, and then moved to the Salesian residence at Mary Help of Christians Center, Tampa in 2004. When not teaching, he could be found working on jigsaw puzzles or praying in the chapel. The last few months of his life were spent at Bon Secours Maria Manor in St. Petersburg. He once said, "It has always been my intention to do the Lord's work among the poor and needy in every situation I found myself, just like St. John Bosco would do." He was predeceased by his siblings, Sr. M. Madonna IHM, Joseph Tierney, James Tierney, Helen McAdams, Sr. M. David IHM, Sr. M. Camille IHM, Sr. M. Aloysis IHM, and Margaret Brennan of Philadelphia. Services will be held at Mary Help of Christians Center, 6400 E. Chelsea St., Tampa on Wednesday, Feb 2. Viewing begins at 5 pm with a funeral Mass at 7pm. Additional services will follow in Stony Point, NY with burial at the Salesian Cemetery in Goshen, NY.