Spirited Sojourner G
ilmour Academy just won’t be the same anymore now that Brother Robert Kelley, C.S.C., has retired. “I know I am going to miss Gilmour. You can’t be somewhere for 30 years and not miss it,” Brother Robert says. “Being at Gilmour and St. Ed’s have been the two biggest things in my religious life.” In early August, Brother Robert, a Campus Ministry associate, moved to Columba Hall on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. “I just cannot get around like I used to anymore so I know it’s time to retire,” he says. He has been a Holy Cross Brother for 56 years and celebrated his 50th Jubilee in 2004 at Gilmour. Brother began at Gilmour in 1980 as a guidance counselor. Back then, Gilmour was an all boys’ school with an enrollment of 350. Over his three decades here he also served as spiritual moderator of the Men’s Club, Superior of the local religious community and helped start the school’s community service program with Campus Minister Father John Blazek, C.S.C. ’58. “Having an opportunity to engage many different age groups in conversation while acknowledging the importance of our mission as a Holy Cross school was a wonderful gift Brother Robert Kelly shared during his many years at Gilmour,” says Headmaster Brother Robert Lavelle, C.S.C. “He is adept at being light hearted and yet serious at appropriate times with students one-on-one and in larger groups such as morning convocation. His gift of hearty engagement also was shared at the Men’s Club meetings and other gatherings. He enjoyed being with others and they appreciated him as well.” Always a favorite of the students, Brother Robert worked tirelessly with them on the Thanksgiving Food Drive, the
Cleveland Food Bank and volunteer efforts at St. Augustine and St. Malachi Churches on Brother Robert Kelley, C.S.C. Cleveland’s West Side. and Jamie Kazel Gilmour named a service award in honor of him for his 50th Jubilee. Practicing what he preaches about staying active, Brother Robert’s parting advice to students is to study, work hard and participate in extracurricular activities. “Taking care of prayer life and religion are also important,” he adds. After earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton, Brother Robert taught fifth graders at Holy Family School in Dayton. At St. Edward’s High School in Lakewood, he taught English, religion and marriage and the family, was a counselor and was director of student activities and alumni affairs. During his years as a Holy Cross Brother, he served his congregation as school counselor, assistant superior and vocation director in Ohio and part of Michigan working from Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron. Brother Robert also pursued graduate studies in guidance and counseling at John Carroll University. The mirthful man with the distinctive laugh says that he plans to remain active and read, go out to dinner and attend plays and performances – but his memories of Lancer games, Drama Club events and Gilmour parties go with him. “I just love the people at Gilmour – the students, teachers, parents, alumni and staff,” he says. Brother Robert hopes that Gilmour people will visit him when they are at Notre Dame and he looks forward to seeing students during the annual freshman retreat and alums who are now Notre Dame students. “We will miss Brother Robert’s presence and his great sense of humor at many varied campus activities,” the Headmaster says. “His dedication and spiritual depth is evident. Brother Robert touches lives in significant ways and always appreciates engaging in good conversation.”
Brother Robert and Erin and Sal Caruso with Sam 47