Brother Edward J. Keefe, C.F.X. (Brother Ephrem)
August 27, 1931 ~ February 5, 2016
Brother Edward J. Keefe, C.F.X. (Brother Ephrem) of Danvers, a Xaverian Brother, died Friday at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. He was 84. Brother Keefe was the longest-serving headmaster at St. John’s Prep, leading the Xaverian Brothers’ all-boys preparatory school in Danvers from 1974 to 1989.
Brother Keefe was born in Lowell, the son of Josephine and Thomas Keefe. His early education was in Lowell, where he attended St. Patrick’s grammar school and graduated from Keith Academy in 1949. He entered the Congregation of the Xaverian Brothers in September 1949, received his religious habit in March 1950, and made his profession of vows in March 1952. He studied at the Sacred Heart Novitiate in Old Point Comfort, Virginia; Catholic University in Washington, D.C.; LaSalle College in Philadelphia; and Assumption College in Worcester. During his ministry as a Brother, he served at Keith Academy in Lowell, Mission High School in Boston, Saint John’s High School in Worcester, and St. Michael’s High School and Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, as well as St. John’s Prep in Danvers.
Brother Keefe first came to St. John's in 1961 as a young teacher, coach and prefect. In 1968 he accepted a new assignment as superior of the Keith Academy community in Lowell, but returned to the Prep, which he considered home, in 1971. He was named headmaster at St. John's in 1974. Brother Keefe also served the Xaverian Brothers as treasurer of the St. Joseph Province, director of Xaverian House in Danvers, and provincial of the American Northeast Province. From 1999 to 2000, and then again from 2001 to 2006, he taught at St. Joseph Centre in Bungoma, Kenya, the Brothers’ formation program in Africa.
In the fall of 2015, St. John’s Prep honored Brother Keefe’s dedication to education by announcing that the school's newly constructed high school academic building would be known as the Brother Keefe, C.F.X. Academic Center. He attended the dedication ceremony, as the St. John’s Prep community came together to celebrate his life and legacy. “Together, we stand here to show our gratitude to a giant in the history of St. John’s and the Xaverian Brothers,” Headmaster Edward Hardiman of St. John's said. “Wise and warm, practical and inspiring, he was a transformational leader for St. John’s. Without his vision and passion, the Prep would not be where it is today.”
In addition to his brothers in religion, he is survived by his loving cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Josephine (Manning) Keefe and five siblings, Catherine, Thomas Jr., Joseph, Mary and James.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10AM on Thursday, February 11, 2016 in the Chapel of Saint John Preparatory School, Spring St., Danvers. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 3:30-7PM in the Bro. Keefe, C.F.X. Academic Center (located on Saint John Preparatory School Campus). Burial will follow in Xaverian Brothers Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brother Keefe’s memory to Xaverian Brothers Retirement Fund, 4409 Frederick Ave, Baltimore, MD 21229.
he saw potential where others did not he offered a hand when others pulled away truly a great man has been lost
I join Greg in lamenting the loss of a truly special and gifted teacher, Brother Edward Keefe. He generously “offered a hand when others pulled away” and no one was more of a beneficiary of his singular kindness and support then me…
I came to know Brother Keefe at Keith Academy, a Xaverian Brothers High School located in “blue collar” Lowell, Massachusetts. I was born In the Housing Projects and lived just across the Street from St. Patrick’s School. I never met my father and my mother died when I was 12. I stayed for a while with a half-sister and unfortunately we were victims of a violently alcoholic husband. I was attending Lowell High School, or supposed to be until I was expelled for my failure to attend. I went off on my own staying at friends homes when possible, and sleeping in cars when not. I was extremely blessed to be taken off the streets by Joan and Peter Donnelly, who’s son Peter attended Keith, Class of 1969.
I knew if I did not go back to school I would never make anything of myself, but I never thought I would have an opportunity to attend a school like Keith, that was for “rich kids”. But Joan Donnelly God bless her went down to Keith and told the Headmaster about the troubled young man she had taken in, and how she believed he needed a disciplined environment which was the hallmark of a Xaverian Brothers education.
Despite having a freshmen transcript which included four “f’s and a d-“and an expulsion. I was given a chance and told, ” one unexcused absence and your gone”. It was in 1968 that I first met Brother Keefe as a student in his French 1 class. To say I was a little slow would be an understatement, but Joan and Brother Keefe made sure I did not give up. French was not my calling and I do remember lets say “drifting off” one day in class, which did not go unnoticed to Brother’s eagle eye. He called me out to see him after class at which time he had me report to the school’s parking lot for “picking up papers and trash detail” He wisely reminded me that if I failed to pay attention in class, I would find myself doing this full time! A lesson I did not forget, and there were so many more. He was an excellent motivator and teacher, the kind of teacher who you knew really cared. As a result, my grades improved and when Keith closed I transferred to St. John’s Prep in 1970, graduating in 1971.
As a resident student, Brother Keefe arranged for me to work in the dining hall to assist with my tuition. Following graduation, I went on to Salem State College. I stayed on at the Prep as a Floor Prefect during the last years of admitting resident students and eventually on to Law school at Nova Southeastern University graduating with honors. If not for Brother Keefe’s support and encouragement I would not be where I am today. I was so blessed to attend both Keith Academy and St. John’s and to have the support of not only Brother Keefe, but so many other fine Brothers and lay faculty.
I regret that I had not stayed in touch with Brother Keefe. I have thought of him often and have reached out to help others , as he did for me… He will be missed, but always remembered.. God Bless!
Brian Patrick Sullivan St. John’s Prep, Class of 1971