We mourn the passing of Brother Joe

It is with profound sadness that we tell you of the death of our good friend, Brother Martin Joseph Fragala, CFC on Monday, July 12th in Albany, New York.

Br. Joe had been in Mahwah, NJ on a retreat the week before and then was spending time visiting family and former students at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady. On Monday morning he failed to keep a breakfast date with an alumnus. He was discovered in his hotel room and died of cardiac arrest a short time later in a hospital.

Joe has been in the Christian Brothers Volunteer community in New Orleans for the last three years during which time he was a full-time volunteer at Cafe Reconcile. He was 69 years old.

Martin Joseph Fragala, CFC
May 15, 1941-July 12, 2010

Wake: Thursday, July 15, 2010 at Griswold Funeral Home, 1867 State Street, Schnectady, NY 12304, 518-374-6188

Mass: Friday, July 16, 2010 at St. Paul’s Church, 2777 Albany Street, Schenectady, NY 12304

A memorial service in Brother Joe’s honor is being planned for his New Orleans family.  Details will be announced as they become available.

May he rest in peace.

Br Charles Avendano, Br. John Casey, Catherine Drennan, Nick Roland

Gifts to the recently established Br. Joe Memorial Fund will support the cause he was so passionate about: the continued education and training of New Orleans youth.  Please click here to donate online or make checks payable to: Cafe Reconcile, 1631 O.C. Haley Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70113.   Thank you.