ST JOSEPH ’ S INSTITUTION • JOSEPHIAN ANNUAL 2014 A TRIBUTE TO BRO KEVIN BYRNE
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programmes . Sadly , the end of 1991 also saw the retirement of Br . Kevin Byrne who was SJI ’ s longest serving Principal of 13 years .
An excerpt of the “ Farewell Bouquet ” the late Mr Goh Sin Tub , then Chairman of the SJI Board of Governors , to Brother Kevin Byrne on his retirement as Principal of SJI in December 1991 :
“ When the opportunity came for SJI to be re-built , to be born again … you did not hesitate one moment . You boldly seized the chance to give new life to the school , and in your own quiet way , you began to inspire an army of old boys , some 1500 of us , to help you make your dream of a new SJI come true . The result … the magnificent New SJI on Malcolm Road …
“ Opportunity knocked a second time when SJI was offered the chance to become an independent school . You supported the proposal but only on the terms you and your team prudently insisted upon , namely that independence would mean operational independence only , i . e . Government aid would remain intact .”
“ At the beginning when the potential benefits were not obvious to everybody , your own vision was crystal clear and you stood solidly with the School Governors to champion the Independent Option ... Your mild manner of management helped immeasurably to calm and reassure both staff as well as parents worried by the pace and uncertainties of change .”
Mrs Tan Eng Hong , Math teacher at SJI , said “ Br . Kevin was a Brother blessed with gentle manners . He was calm in the face of stormy seas . His reassuring ways would win him the support of friends and respect from his foes . He had a deep perception of people and was well-loved by all . He was ready to help everyone in any way he could as a Principal . He was a Brother , a scholar and a gentleman .”
Br . Kevin then went to St Patrick ’ s School in January 1992 , where he took over community directorship from 1992 to 1996 . He was also helping out at St Patrick House ( hostel ), before his retirement to Ireland in 1996 . He suffered from Alzheimer ’ s disease in his later years , and passed away in his hometown Castletown , Ireland , on 26 September 2014 , at the age of 83 , following a fall some months earlier . He was laid to rest at the Community Cemetery Castletown on 29 September .
Many old boys remembered and cherished Br . Kevin for his gentle but firm care as our teacher and his quiet but good leadership as our principal . Some who had worked under him in the past or who have been his students will remember these aspects of a Brother who truly lived his Lasallian charism to the full .