Page 15 - The Gonzaga Record 1988
P. 15
AN APPRECIATION
Father White was, in my opinion, the single most important figure in the
history of Gonzaga. He was Prefect of Studies for fifteen years from the
School's foundation and Rector for six years after that. He and Father
Charlie O'Connor, our first Rector, were a perfect team. Fr O'Connor
was a stickler for administrative detail and had a real feel for the
development of the School. But he was a distant, slightly aloof figure.
Fr White, on the other hand, was hopeless about records and
correspondence and other office work; he was a man for the here and
now and had a genius with people. He was good-humoured, buoyant and
had immense powers of sympathy. The other teachers found him
supportive, especially those who were wilting under the strain.
With the boys he had a robust, slightly hectoring way and would not
take too much nonsense. 'You're only deceivin' yourself, he would say
through clenched teeth, simulating exasperation. But he was too sensible
to get really annoyed. He had the uncongenial task of dispensing
corporal punishment but this did not diminish his popularity among the
boys by whom he was known affectionately as 'Walley'. To not a few of
them he became an invaluable counsellor to whom they looked for advice
and support long after they had left the school.
He was the kind of man who turned up when he was most needed,
generally on his old bicycle which he mounted as if it were a steed. To
-meet him was always a happy experience. When you were with him, you
were all that mattered. But there was more. Beneath the bustle he had the
tranquil contentment that goes with deep faith. That was very impressive.
He had immense insight into his fellow humans and he used this to serve
them. He gave of himself totally and never thought of the cost, let alone
count it.
I last met him in Gonzaga at the Mass for Fr O'Connor when he
rendered a superb appreciation. Recalling small but significant episodes
from those early days he re-captured his subject to perfection. I
remember that he concluded by expressing the wish that Gonzaga boys
would regard their education as a privilege to be shared, not a property
to be defended. It was a characteristically generous thought. He himself
had contributed mightily to making it such a privilege. He has left with
us the challenge of proving worthy of it and an inspiration and example
for applying ourselves to that task.
Charles Lysaght
13
Father White was, in my opinion, the single most important figure in the
history of Gonzaga. He was Prefect of Studies for fifteen years from the
School's foundation and Rector for six years after that. He and Father
Charlie O'Connor, our first Rector, were a perfect team. Fr O'Connor
was a stickler for administrative detail and had a real feel for the
development of the School. But he was a distant, slightly aloof figure.
Fr White, on the other hand, was hopeless about records and
correspondence and other office work; he was a man for the here and
now and had a genius with people. He was good-humoured, buoyant and
had immense powers of sympathy. The other teachers found him
supportive, especially those who were wilting under the strain.
With the boys he had a robust, slightly hectoring way and would not
take too much nonsense. 'You're only deceivin' yourself, he would say
through clenched teeth, simulating exasperation. But he was too sensible
to get really annoyed. He had the uncongenial task of dispensing
corporal punishment but this did not diminish his popularity among the
boys by whom he was known affectionately as 'Walley'. To not a few of
them he became an invaluable counsellor to whom they looked for advice
and support long after they had left the school.
He was the kind of man who turned up when he was most needed,
generally on his old bicycle which he mounted as if it were a steed. To
-meet him was always a happy experience. When you were with him, you
were all that mattered. But there was more. Beneath the bustle he had the
tranquil contentment that goes with deep faith. That was very impressive.
He had immense insight into his fellow humans and he used this to serve
them. He gave of himself totally and never thought of the cost, let alone
count it.
I last met him in Gonzaga at the Mass for Fr O'Connor when he
rendered a superb appreciation. Recalling small but significant episodes
from those early days he re-captured his subject to perfection. I
remember that he concluded by expressing the wish that Gonzaga boys
would regard their education as a privilege to be shared, not a property
to be defended. It was a characteristically generous thought. He himself
had contributed mightily to making it such a privilege. He has left with
us the challenge of proving worthy of it and an inspiration and example
for applying ourselves to that task.
Charles Lysaght
13
