OBITUARY

Salesian Brother Charles Todel, 78

Published: 06.20.08

Brother Charles Todel, a Salesian brother who taught at the former Mary Help of Christians School in Tampa, died April 20 at Maria Manor in St. Petersburg. He was 78.

Brother Todel was born in Bronx, N.Y., and made his first religious profession with the Salesians of Don Bosco Sept. 8, 1943.

He taught in the cabinetmaking shops of Salesian trade schools in Marrero, La., and Paterson, N.J. and, from 1963-1965, at Mary Help of Christians in Tampa. He also served at treasurer of the school from 1975-1984.

At Don Bosco Tech in Boston, he was credited with developing a building technology program that combined woodworking skills with architecture and other aspects of home construction, such as electrical wiring. In Birmingham, Ala., he supplemented that program with various life skills and General Equivalency Diploma classes, and organized a lay ministry outreach effort to the poor. In 1997, the National Association of Religious Brothers gave him its “Call to Brotherhood” award.

“Brother Charles was always a gentleman and always enterprising,” said former Salesian provincial Father Richard McCormick. “He never shied from begging, like his father, Don Bosco. And many benefactors responded, sharing their gifts in the spirit of Divine Providence.”

Brother Todel also offered spiritual guidance to the Salesian Cooperators, a lay ministry group that supports the works of the Salesians.

Marlene Frederick, a member of the Tampa unit and of the Cooperators worldwide general council, described him as, “a man filled with a great love of people.”

Bother Todel moved from Chicago to the Mary Help of Christians Center for retired Salesians in 2005. Even as his health failed him, he remained involved with young people by giving art lessons to children at the Boys and Girls Club unit on the Salesian campus.

His funeral Mass was celebrated April 23 in Port Chester, NY. His survivors include two nephews.

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