Cyril Birtles

Brother Cyril Birtles, C.F.X., 88, died Thursday evening, April 17, 2014 at the Massachusetts General Hospital following a brief illness. He was a member of the Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Francis Xavier for 62 years. Born Donald Birtles on June 3, 1925 in Manchester, United Kingdom, he was the son of the late Cyril and Olive (Penny) Birtles. He was raised and educated there before entering the Xaverian Brothers in September of 1943, taking the religious name Brother Cyril. He received his degree from Manchester University and spent most of his career at Xaverian College in Manchester, where he taught from 1947 until his appointment as Headmaster. After his retirement in 1990, he served on the Board of Governors of Xaverian College until coming to Xaverian House in Danvers where he has lived in retirement since 2002. In addition to his brothers in religion, he is survived by a sister, Audrey Everton of Manchester, UK. He was predeceased by a brother, Peter Birtles. His Funeral Mass will be Monday, April 21, 2014 at 10:30AM in the Chapel of Saint John’s Preparatory School (Admin. Bldg.), 72 Spring St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Xaverian Brothers Cemetery, Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited. Visitation will be in the chapel on Monday morning beginning at 9:30AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Xaverian Brothers’ Retirement Fund, 4409 Frederick Ave., Baltimore, MD 21229.