August 15th marked the diamond Jubilee of Gerry's Religion Profession, sixty years of commitment as a Patrician Brother, and a great celebration it was. Today, 17 days later, we gather to mark the end of Gerry's life as we know it and his entry into eternal life.

Patrick Joseph Egan was born on August 11th, 1923, the son of Patrick and Mary Egan of Rosenallis, County Laois, Ireland. He had two brothers, Dick, who is married and lives in Rosenallis - John (Brother Enda), who died in Narellan in November, 1994 - and Sheila, his sister who is with us today.

Gerry began his training as a Patrician Brother in 1937. He made his first profession of vows in 1940.

St Thomas Aquinas tells us that to make a vow is an act of radical generosity because one gives in a single moment a life which is to be lived successively through time. Gerry did this exceptionally well for the next 60 years. The strength of Gerry's relationship with God is what carried him through those years.

Gerry's teaching career began in 1944. I am told that, at this time, he, as "head scholastic", taught Basil Downey - that in itself earned him his eternal reward! After a five year stint in Mallow, County Cork, he arrived with Basil Downey and Cronan O'Meara in Australia on the 12th October, 1949.

Gerry's postings over the years began in Mt Carmel, Waterloo, where he developed his love of rugby league, especially South Sydney, and his political leanings which were a source of constant discussion within community.

He also spent time in Granville, Holy Cross Ryde, and Liverpool, where he spent the best part of thirty years. It is fitting that Gerry is being farewelled from here.

Gerry's time in school was marked by a quiet determination. He was never one to seek the limelight, yet his classroom and his school were very efficiently run. Those who worked with him respected him greatly, those he taught also respected and loved him.

Within community, Gerry also excelled. He was a man of kindness, great hospitality, a great listener - a stirrer when he barracked against the Aussies when the cricket was on.

He was a man who enjoyed the company of his Brothers and looked forward to the card nights with good friends when his famous "jar of money" was brought out of his room. You might even have been lucky to have been allowed to "borrow" some, as long as you left behind your winnings.

Gerry found his transfer from Liverpool at the beginning of this year the hardest in his life, yet he accepted it in his usual quiet way. He found in his new community at Fairfield a great welcome and friendship. It is here that I would like to thank the Brothers - Charles (community leader), Bernard, Richard, Joseph, Michael, and Domenic - for that care and concern which made the transition easier. Thank you for all for everything you did for Gerry in his last days.

Gerry leaves within both his blood family and his Religious family, a huge gap. His sudden death makes it all that harder to come to grips with.

We gather today in sadness, but we all know, within out hearts, assured by our faith, that Gerry now rests with his God. We therefore celebrate today a life lived fully committed to others. We celebrate a man we loved and respected, a man we are proud to call "Brother", a truly great Patrician.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.