Brother Patrick I. Pennell C.F.X.
December 21, 1930 ~ February 26, 2026
Resided in:
Danvers, Massachusetts
Brother Patrick I. Pennell, CFX, 95, a member of the Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Francis Xavier for seventy-five years, died Thursday, February 26, 2026.
Born in Cambridge on December 21, 1930, he was the son of the late Joseph and Zita (Sutton) Pennell. He was raised in Somerville where he was first introduced to the Xaverian Brothers at Saint Joseph’s School. He graduated from Saint John’s High School in North Cambridge and entered the Congregation on September 19, 1950. On March 19, 1951, he was vested in the Xaverian habit and given the religious name Brother Gavril.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Catholic University and did graduate studies at Laval University and Howard University before receiving master’s degrees from both Rivier College and Fordham University.
His teaching ministry brought him to Ryken High School in Leonardtown, MD in 1956 as a member of the foreign language department. In 1961, he went north to Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, NY where he would faithfully serve generations of students as a foreign language teacher, guidance counselor, and track coach throughout the following forty-two years.
In 2003, Brother Pat moved to Xaverian House in Danvers where he took on the role of Assistant Director of the community there. During his time at Xaverian House, he served his brothers with tireless devotion until his retirement at age 90 in 2021.
Besides his brothers in religion, he leaves two siblings, Joseph Pennell of Everett and Rena McNeill of Marshfield, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Leo and William Pennell, and a sister, Sarah Casey.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 6, 2026 at 11AM in Saint Richard’s Church, 90 Forest St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Xaverian Brothers Cemetery, Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited. Visitation will be held in the church prior to Mass beginning at 10AM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Brother Pat’s name may be made to the Xaverian Brothers Retirement Fund, 4409 Frederick Ave., Baltimore, MD 21229. Arrangements are by C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. For directions or to leave a condolence, visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.
Services
Visitation: Friday, March 6, 2026 10:00 am - 10:45 am
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(1985-1989) at Xaverian HS. He taught me that accountability matters. He will be missed.
I will never forget all the help Brother Pat gave me. Rest in peace Brother Pat.
My favorite teacher throughout my 4 years, 1966-70 , we knew him as Brother Gavril, or mon ami, he was kind, generous, a great teacher and friend. What a life well-lived! Prayers for him and his family❤️
It is with great sadness to learn of Bro. Pat’s passing. I remember him fondly as guidance counsellor when I was at Xaverian High School in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NYC in the 70s. May he rest in peace and his memory be a blessing.
Stephen R. Rolandi, Class of ’72, XHS.
Brother Pat always encouraged us. He was so caring and supportive on the track or the guidance office. Can still see his smile. I’m glad he got to see his beloved Red Sox win the World Series.
Track and Field, 1968-1972
Truly blessed to have had his guidance and support during those formative years. One tough, but fun loving gentleman. Thanks for everything Brother Pat! Rest in peace. Track and Field, 1977-1981
I was one of his early students at Xaverian and provided the enormous challenge for him to try and teach me French. He must have orchestrated a minor miracle as I did remarkable well on my first trip to Paris. He was also a super track coach who had no problem sending an exhausted harrier out for one more trip around the track.
May he rest in peace!
Jim Hearn’64
Albert Filosa class of 1972
Track and Field 1966-1970
I know Brother Pat is now telling more jokes to all his fellow brother’s that went before him.
Rest in peace my friend.
Erich Bodnar
Class of 1969
Class of 77
I never forgot him, a true stand up guy! My French teacher, track coach, mentor/guidance counselor!
“Some of you have sieves for brains!” – Bro. Pat
Rest well.
Mike Abraham ’98
My sincere condolences to your family & fellow Brothers.
Bro. Pat’s mantra, “Read, read, read…”, was his way to convince us that we’d only succeed on many levels if we became voracious readers. While many scoffed at his insistence, he was indeed correct. Years later, I gladly thanked him. As a proud member of the varsity championship track team, I also appreciated his guidance & inspiration.
Robert Windorf, Ed.D.
Xaverian HS, Class of 1976
May he rest in peace. My condolences to his CFX brothers and his family.
Ray Willson, ‘67
He had a great sense of humor and his smile was engaging and uplifting.
Requiescat in Pace.
Frank Desiderio Class of 1965
Peter Adornato, ’76
Mike Wilson, Class of 1977
My deepest condolences to both the family and the fellow Xaverian Brothers of Brother Patrick I. Pennell, CFX. May Brother Gavril Rest In Peace.
RIP, Joe Murach, Class of 1980
In 1962, Frank, Paul and I knew Brother Pat as Brother Gavril. At Xaverian HS in Brooklyn, NY Brother Gavril was our track coach and he was a Fun Track Coach. And yes, he was serious when serious was called for.
Brother Gavril was also my Spanish teacher in the 1962 and 1963 school years at Xaverian. As you can tell, I remember him to this day.
Brother Pat, to me Brother Gavril, was a wonderful man and teacher. My favorite teacher and person during my years at Xaverian