CAMBRIDGE, Md. – The Rev. Bruce Charles Byrolly went dwelling to the Lord on Christmas Day, 2020, in Cambridge, Md.; he was 88 years previous.
He faithfully and compassionately served the diocese of Wilmington for 62 years. An lively and lively member of society up till his final breath, he cherished his calling and celebrated Lots proper up till he was stricken with COVID-19 in mid-December.
Born in Waterbury, Conn. in 1932, he attended The Taft College. He graduated Yale College with the category of 1954, returning with extra vigor yearly for his reunions because the proudest alumnus.
He accomplished research for the priesthood at The Catholic College of America, Washington, D.C., and was ordained on Could 15, 1958, at St. Patrick Cathedral, Norwich, Conn., by Bishop Bernard Flanagan. He was first assigned as affiliate pastor to Our Woman of Fatima Church, New Citadel, Del.
In 1964, he was transferred to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, Wilmington. In 1967, he turned affiliate pastor to Holy Rosary Church, Claymont, Del. In 1968, he was appointed affiliate pastor to St. Ann Church, Wilmington. He was administrator of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, Wilmington, from 1969 to February 1973.
A part of that point, from November 1972, he was concurrently affiliate pastor of the Cathedral of St. Peter and administrator of St. Mary, till February 1973, when St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception and St. Patrick, Wilmington, have been united as one parish.
Remaining on the Cathedral of St. Peter till June 1973, he was assigned to St. John the Baptist–Holy Angels, Newark, Del., as affiliate pastor. In 1974, he was appointed pastor to St. Matthew Church, Wilmington.
In 1976, he was transferred as pastor to St. Edmond Church, Rehoboth, Del. In 1988, he took sabbatical depart at Weston, Cambridge, Mass. In 1989, he was appointed pastor to St. Luke Church, Ocean Metropolis, Md. In 1991, he turned pastor of St. Mary, Refuge of Sinners Church in Cambridge, Md.
He was a constitution member of the Diocesan Liturgical Fee, a member of the Dialog Board, a diocesan consultant to the Delmarva Ecumenical Company, a diocesan consultant to Mission Equality. He served as chairman of the Japanese Shore Non secular Schooling Co-op.
Whereas he was formally retired, anybody and everybody who knew Bruce, Father Bruce, Father Byrolly or uncle is aware of that he by no means actually retired. One want solely to Google his twitter deal with to see that he was all the time on an journey, looking for data, posting his opinions on message boards, taking school lessons or studying the following nice e-book.
He was all the time seeking the following nice strolling tour, cemetery or obscure stained-glass window. Bruce cherished artwork and was a fan of structure, literature and classical music. He by no means left dwelling with out his Bible, a thermos stuffed with espresso, his Kindle and infrequently his transportable digital piano.
He was knowledgeable conversationalist who drank his espresso from a cup on a saucer, agonized over mastering his piano classes and would drive 1000’s of miles annually to see family and friends up and down the Japanese Seaboard throughout his epic annual summer season excursions. He methodically deliberate and undertook these journeys even in 2020, with itineraries extra jammed packed than these of a head of state.
However, he would all the time discover time to cease for espresso or a fast chunk to eat with family and friends between Music on the Mountain or any a number of of his retreats, weddings and piano camps. He wasn’t afraid to strive something regardless of how troublesome, and misplaced extra cellphones and Kindles than could be imagined.
An ardent traveler all through his total life and unphased by a near-death expertise in his early 80s, he traveled the world seeking journey, together with current journeys to Hong Kong, Taipei, Vietnam, Korea and Tokyo throughout his 86th and 87th years. And, however for the pandemic, he would have been traipsing round Japanese Europe final spring seeking significant artistic endeavors, headstones and off the crushed path eating places.
He was excited to renew his travels in 2021. All who knew him can attest that he was as distinctive a person as any fallen snowflake. Whereas typically a critical particular person he additionally had a comical facet and was recognized to put down on his again within the Capitol Rotunda (whereas carrying his Roman Collar) as a result of that was “really the one technique to observe the Apotheosis of Washington” painted on the ceiling.
He cherished and adored his parishioners, colleagues, household and pals and was actually planning on ministering and touring for a lot of extra years to return as was evidenced by his communications with household and pals main as much as and together with Christmas Eve, however God had one other project for him.
Bruce prayed day by day for all together with his colleagues, household, parishioners and pals and for these household and pals he had misplaced contact with through the years. Bruce would need all to have a good time his life properly lived with a loud and heartfelt Amen and for these left behind, to not mourn his passing, however to have a good time that he’s at dwelling with the Lord the place he has all the time wished to be, and the place all of the mysteries he has faithfully and passionately pursued for 88 years have lastly been revealed.
Keep in mind Bruce in your day by day lives by utilizing his favourite phrases’ “Hello-ho!”, and “Holy Sugar!”, and by no means be afraid to sing loud and in your individual key.
Bruce was predeceased by his dad and mom Charles and Margaret Byrolly in addition to his twin siblings Donna Byrolly Clarke and Barry Byrolly. Bruce is survived by his devoted nephews Sean (Megan) Clarke of Stratford, Conn., and Mark (Karen) Clarke of Fairfield, Con., in addition to his nieces Suzannah Nutbrown of Stratham, N.H., and Sarah (Jonathan) Sawitsky of Milford, Conn.; 10 great-nephews and -nieces; in addition to many many cousins and prolonged household, together with Josephine Byrolly and Rosella Longo.
As a result of COVID-19, burial in Cambridge shall be non-public, however in accordance with full Catholic custom. A celebration of Bruce’s life with all of the fanfare, music, pomp and circumstance he requires and would love will happen within the spring of 2021, with all welcome to attend.
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