Brother Joseph A. Comber
November 18, 1940 ~ April 24, 2021
Brother Joseph A. Comber, C.F.X., 80, a member of the Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Francis Xavier for nearly sixty-two years, died Saturday, April 24, 2021 from complications related to a seven-year battle with ALS.
Born in Lawrence, he was the son of the late Joseph and Eleanor (Guerin) Comber. He was raised in Lawrence and graduated as valedictorian of the Saint John’s Preparatory School Class of 1958. He entered the congregation that summer, receiving the holy habit and taking the religious name Brother Maximus.
Brother Joe received his undergraduate degree from Catholic University and went on to do graduate studies at both Saint Louis University and the University of Chicago, where he earned his doctoral degree in 1975.
He taught religious studies, Latin and German at his alma mater, St. John’s Prep, for twenty-five years. He also was an instructor of Sacred Scripture at Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton.
In 1994, Brother Joe left teaching to begin a special ministry working as both a certified nursing assistant and restorative aide at Mary Immaculate Nursing Home in Lawrence. There, he worked with and cared for the elderly and infirm for twenty years until his retirement at the onset of his ALS diagnosis.
He was a member of the Xaverian Brothers community in Melrose since 1972.
In addition to his Brothers in religion, he leaves several cousins and their families.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 10:30AM in the Saint John’s Preparatory School Chapel, 72 Spring St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Xaverian Brothers Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to Mass in the Chapel from 9AM-10:15AM. Attendees are kindly asked to wear facial coverings and adhere to social distancing guidelines. In lieu of flowers, donations in Brother Joe’s memory may be made to the Xaverian Brothers Retirement Fund, 4409 Frederick Ave., Baltimore, MD 21229 or Compassionate Care ALS, P.O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574 (www.ccals.org). Arrangements are under the direction of C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. www.LyonsFuneral.com.
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Knowing Brother Joseph has been one of my greatest joys. I was a student with Joe at St. John’s Prep from 1954 to 1958. Joe was noted for academic excellence but even more for kindness. We together joined the Brothers in 1958, entering Sacred Heart Novitiate in Old Point Comfort Virginia where Joe continued to stand out by NOT standing out. He studied, prayed, and was friend to everyone. I rejoice he has completed his journey to the Father and family he loved. Like many I miss him and know how great our joy will be when we are together again. I love you Brother Joseph, and love all who loved you and whom you loved. Peter and Cora Castaldi
Joe Comber was brilliant. Number uno in our Class of 1958. Joe suffered for many years from ALS. Why ? Some day we may find out and know. Joe knows knows now why. In all the years of suffering Joe never complained. An inspiration to all who came in contact with Joe and his loving and dedicated caretaker. Farewell Joe.
Grateful to God for calling Brother Joe home, and ending his suffering here on Earth. My family and I will miss this wonderful man, but cherish the memories of our encounters with Brother Joe in better times. He enriched our lives, and all those who were fortunate to know him. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends, especially Brother Dan, and our extended Xaverian family in Melrose and everywhere.
When it comes to describing Brother Joe Comber CFX, you can run out of superlatives very Fast. He was the Brightest and the Best.
David J. Crowley ,’58
What a great pleasure it was to go through 5 years of “formation” together. Joe was a veritable gentle giant. The fact that he continued to root for the RED SOX speaks volumes for both his humility and eternal hope. Re st in peace my friend.
Bro. Hoey – I’m so sorry to hear the news from Bob Gregory. What an amazing life Bro. Joe lived! God bless you and your compassionate dedication.
My dear Brothers and sisters,
I love the wonderful pictures of Joe posted here and on the XB Provincial newsletter. For me they capture the essence of what I find in Joe: warmth, dignity, acceptance, humility, talent, strength, proficiency, depth of intellect and soul, sincerity, kindness — and everything else that Paul’s epistle says about what love is and isn’t. (I think Paul consulted with Joe!)
It’s been 60 years since I last rubbed shoulders with this giant of a human being for many of our years of formation at our Novitiate and Scholasticate. I hope he has even an inkling of an idea of how much he raised me up by simply doing what he did best: he exuded grace and oozed holiness. He was a great “community man,” so pleasant and easy to be around If. I ever grow up, I want to be like Joe.
The strife is o’er! Joe! The victory is yours!
Say a little prayer for the rest of us that we may always
Do what is right,
Love tenderly,
And walk humbly with our God
— like you always did!
Marty Moran (fka Bro. Albert. ’57)
As a fellow PALS I got to know Brother Joe Comber in the Mass ALS Association’s Northshore Support Group. He was always upbeat, supportive to others in the group, and willing to do anything to help to find a cure. Have missed our interactions for the last few years. RIP Brother Joe!
Brother Comber was the kindest gentlest teacher I ever had. I am so sorry to learn of his suffering. Forsan et haec olim meminisse juvabit.