Br. Brendan Gerrity, Fsc

Br. Brendan Gerrity, FSC, passed away peacefully at De La Salle Hall in New Jersey on August 2, 2024. Born on April 13, 1937, in New York, NY, he was the beloved son of the late William J. and Ella (Regan) Gerrity. He was the brother of the late William C. Gerrity and a loving uncle to Kathleen (John) Travaline and Meg Daly, and the late Christopher and Michael Gerrity. He was also a cherished great-uncle to several nieces and nephews who brought him immense joy.

Growing up in New York City, Br. Brendan attended Bishop Loughlin High School, where he read Master of Mischief Makers, detailing the life of St. John Baptist de La Salle. Inspired by this book, he felt a calling to follow in La Salle's footsteps. In September 1955, he received the habit of the De La Salle Christian Brothers in Barrytown, NY. He attended Manhattan College and Catholic University and then continued his extensive academic journey:

• Rivier College: M.A. in French (1966)

• Marquette University: Education (1968)

• Fairfield University: Education (1970)

• University of Hartford: CAGS in Administration (1974)

His teaching career began in 1960 at Bishop Bradley High School in Manchester, NH, where he taught French and Spanish. This was the start of an incredible career in education, leading him to teach at St. Bernard’s High School in New London, CT. He later became the principal at St. Bernard’s Boys' School in Uncasville, CT, from 1967 to 1972. He served as the Director of the Boys' Program at Christian Encounter in West Hartford from 1973 to 1979.

Br. Brendan's path continued at St. Raphael Academy and LaSalle Academy in Providence before he found his true calling at the Ocean Tides School in Narragansett, where he served as President from 1982 until his retirement in 2015. He was pivotal in transforming the lives of many young men who attended Ocean Tides, falling in love with the place and its mission. He felt blessed to work with boys in need of guidance, developing special relationships with the students and their families as well as countless Lasallians, probation workers, teachers, police officers, judges, and Ocean Tides staff members. His life as a Brother allowed him to follow the ways of St. John Baptist de La Salle as a devoted servant. Known for his own mischievous spirit, he encouraged the young men at Ocean Tides to create positive habits and change their lives. At graduations, he always imparted a special message of encouragement, "Remember, we really tried to touch your hearts and your minds, so that you were able to transform your lives. In good times and bad, we’re always here thinking about you, worrying about you, caring about you. You can always return to this place of hope, care, and love, whenever you want.”

In addition to his passion for teaching and being a devoted Christian Brother, Br. Brendan cherished his Irish heritage, the Gerrity family, and treasured family vacations in North Truro. He was happiest sitting by the pool or on his deck with a book in hand, looking forward to family dinners. He loved to travel, break bread with friends, and was a voracious reader enjoying a full retirement at his home in Narragansett at the Christian Brothers Center until September 2023. He then moved to the Brothers’ nursing facility in Lincroft, New Jersey, where he continued to embrace his life as a Christian Brother.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 11, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at The Chapel of Our Lady of the Star, Christian Brothers Center, 635 Ocean Road, Narragansett, RI. There will be a Prayer Service of Remembrance at 6:00 pm during the visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 12, at 10:30 am at The Chapel of Our Lady of the Star. Burial will take place at Christian Brothers Cemetery following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ocean Tides School, 635 Ocean Road, Narragansett, RI 02882. For guest book and condolences please visit averystortifuneralhome.com.