A REQUIEM Mass for one of Goulburn's foremost 20th century educators, Reverend Brother Francis Daniel Marzorini cfc OAM will be held at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney on Friday January 20 at 9.30am.
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A 'Service of the Word' will then be held at 2.30 in Goulburn's (old) SS Peter and Paul's Cathedral.
This will be followed by internment in the brothers' cemetery behind the St Patrick's College's (now Trinity Catholic College) Wexted Oval.
Described as one of the most significant educators of his time, Br Marzorini easily mixed with those from all walks of life be they the nation's leaders or school labourers.
Born in Melbourne during 1918, the young Francis Marzorini attended Christian Brothers College in Toorak. From 1937 he became a novitiate, later majoring in secondary education.
Although serving two lengthy terms as Goulburn college president (1956-1961, 1975-1986), few will now be able to recall how a youthful Br Marzorini briefly taught at the school in 1945 when replacing a sick colleague.
"Francis Marzorini had that wonderful ability to develop the school community and head fundraisers for major school facilities and buildings," remembered Goulburn old boy, Shane Hobbs.
"He was a man of great principle who expected high standards at all times.
"But he was a wonderful consistent educator," Mr Hobbs said yesterday.
"Br Marzorini made local headlines when he brought the children of several Vietnamese families to the college during war in that country," Mr Hobbs said.
A lover of pomp and ceremony and a great supporter of the school cadet movement, Br Marzorini regular hosted the nation's leaders at passing out parades or major school functions.
Among the many to attend were Governors General Lord Dunrossil and Sir Zelman Cowan; then State Premier Neville Wran; deputy Prime Minister Doug Anthony and then Liberal Leader (now PM) John Howard.
Many of his students distinguished themselves in public life too. They included (from Goulburn) Rugby great Simon Poidevin and ex-State attorney general John Hannaford and (from his teaching days in Sydney) ex-Federal Minister John Brown, past Sydney Lord Mayor Doug Sutherland, Major General Peter Cosgrove, Justice Barry O'Keefe and Judge Joe Gibson.
Even more significant, Br Marzorini was selected to represent all Australian male religious persons, delivering the welcoming speech to Pope John Paul 11 in the Sydney Opera House.
Although retiring to Waverley College in Sydney, Br Marzorini maintained links with education, regularly travelling to China to teach English in church and tertiary institutions.
Although in his 70s he obtained a Master of Arts from Sydney University and later last decade, he was decorated by the Defense Force for his contribution to the school cadet movement where he carried the rank of Major.
He also spent nine years as the Christian Brothers' vocation director.
Former president and secretary of the St Patrick's Old Boys movement, John Plews, said Br Marzorini made a point of returning to the college each June for the annual reunion.
"Where possible, he also attended the marriages and funerals of old boys, which was seen by all as being a particularly nice pastoral touch," Mr Plews said.
On Australia Day last January, Br Marzorini received the prestigious Australia Day Medal for his education work.
Br Marzorini died peacefully at Gertrude Abbott Nursing Home, Surry Hills on January 14.
He was the brother of Eileen and John (deceased), brother-in-law of Mary Elizabeth (deceased) and uncle of John, Anthony, Peter and Mary Anne.
Funeral arrangements are in the hands of W N Bull Pty Ltd in Sydney.
