David Foran Blay

David survived prostate cancer for nearly 9 years, but by last year he had exhausted all possible treatments.  His sudden decline in health was caused by an infection which quickly overrode his weakened immune system.  Recently he was moved to the Mary Potter Hospice where he received excellent palliative care to relieve his discomfort.  He died peacefully at 11:00 pm on Thursday, 7 August 2014.

Family Details:

• Date of Birth: 8 March, 1940.
• Place of Birth: Adelaide, Australia.
• Baptismal Name: Mervyn David Foran BLAY.

School and Initial Formation:

• Juniorate:  1955 – 1957 at Wangaratta, Victoria.
• Postulancy:  2 January1958 – July 1, 1958 at Macedon, Victoria.
• Novitiate:  2 July 1958 – 1 July 1959 at Macedon, Victoria.

Vows:

• First Vows: 2 July 1959 in Melbourne, Victoria.
• Perpetual Vows: 4 January 1965 at Mount Gambier, South Australia.

Ongoing Education and Formation:

• 1974 – Diploma in Teaching (Mitchell College in Advanced Education, NSW).
• 1979 – Second Novitiate, Fribourg – August to December
• 1984 – Graduate Diploma in Educational Admin (SA College of Advanced Education).
• 1991 – B.Ed. Studies at Edith Cowan University (Perth) – 1991.
• 2000 – Diploma in Business (Accounting) Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
• 2010 – Third Age Renewal, Manziana – October to December.

Community and Ministry Appointments

Initially known by his Religious name of Br Harold, David reverted to his Baptismal name many years ago.  For more than 35 years, he was a teacher in Marist Primary Schools in Camberwell, Broken Hill, Leeton, Subiaco, Griffith, Parkes (Principal), Broken Hill (Principal), Churchlands (Principal) and Santa Teresa (Principal).  In 1996 he was asked to change ministries and take up the role of Bursar for Community Affairs, working at the (former Melbourne) Province Level.  He continued some of these duties for the new Province of Australia, right up until recent weeks.  David was the friendly voice on the phone soothing the woes of Community Bursars, keeping them on the right track and up to date.  He enjoyed serving the Brothers and the Province in this way.  In community, David was a calm, quiet person, warm, welcoming, interested in others and happy to assist them.  These qualities were recognised early because, for 35 years he was Superior/Community Leader of 7 different Communities, beginning in 1971 and ending only last year (2013), as his health declined.

May he rest in peace.

Br Matthew Clarke, Province Secretary.