Brother John Lawrence Dawson, O.S.F.

Brother John Lawrence was born in New York City on September 22, 1947, the son of Joseph and Irene Dawson. He attended grammar school under the direction of his beloved Dominican Sisters of Amityville at Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians in Woodside. He then attended Saint Francis Prep, North 6th Street, graduating in 1965. He then entered the Saint Francis Novitiate, Upper Brookville, on July 5, 1965, received the Habit on January 1, 1966 and professed First Vows on January 7, 1967. He was next assigned to the Brother Columba Reilly Scholasticate in Brooklyn Heights and attended Saint Francis College graduating in 1971 with a BA in French and a Minor in Spanish. In 1976 he earned an MA in Secondary Education with specialty in French and Spanish from Adelphi University. Brother taught at Saint Joseph’s Grammar School in Babylon, before being assigned to Saint Anthony’s High School in January 1970, where he has served as a Spanish, French and Latin teacher, as well as Chairman of the Foreign Language Department. During his tenure at Saint Anthony’s, Brother also taught at Chaminade High School (1979-1980) and Saint Francis Prep (1980-1981). Brother also served in the capacity of moderator of many sports, clubs and associations. Among these were the Track Teams through which he began the very first St. Anthony’s Track Invitational; Basketball Moderator of the famed 1974 New York State High School Basketball Champions; the Mothers’ Guild from 1986-2012. Brother John Lawrence was inducted into the Saint Anthony’s High School Hall of Fame in 1999. Brother John Lawrence enjoyed a passionate interest in travel throughout his life, particularly Europe, and especially, France, Germany and Scandinavia. In all his excursions he always brought back his enthusiastic love of language and culture to his Foreign Language classes.

After suffering a serious stroke during Hurricane Sandy (2012), Brother John Lawrence has been a resident at Maria Regina Residence under the care of the esteemed Sisters of Saint Joseph of Brentwood as well as many caring and dedicated lay administrators and staff.

Generations of students have been blessed to have Brother John Lawrence as their master teacher and respected mentor. This past October 17, 2025, Brother John Lawrence together with his family and friends were blessed to celebrate his 60th Anniversary of Religious Life in the chapel at Maria Regina. Brother John Lawrence passed away on November 18, 2025.

Wake and Funeral Information

Monday, November 24, 2025

Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels

Saint Anthony’s High School

275 Wolf Hill Road

South Huntington, New York 11747

9:00 AM - Viewing Begins

10:40 AM - Closing Ceremony of Transferral

11:00 AM - Funeral Mass

Interment

Franciscan Brothers Plot

Cemetery of the Holy Rood

111 Old Country Road

Westbury, NY 11590

This past weekend, we honored Brother John Lawrence Dawson as he celebrated 60 years of faithful service to God and to the Franciscan mission. His lifelong dedication, humility, and unwavering witness to the Gospel have impacted generations, shaping our community with compassion, joy, and grace.

On October 2nd, Brother Greg, along with students and faculty from St. Francis College, celebrated "Peace on Earth Day" as part of Franciscan Month.

As part of Franciscan Month, Brother Greg led a special Blessing of the Animals this past Sunday at Assumption Church.
In the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, parishioners gathered with their beloved pets to receive a blessing and celebrate the beauty of God’s creation.

Brother Simon Jaworski, O.S.F., a Franciscan Brother of Brooklyn for 62 years, entered Eternal Life peacefully on September 13, 2025. On September 5, 1945, Brother Simon was born John Henry to the late Victoria (née Fromer) of New York and John Jaworski from Austria-Hungary. In 1962 Brother Simon entered the Franciscan Brothers from Saints Cyril and Methodius parish in Brooklyn, New York. In 1963 Brother Simon received the Religious Habit and in 1964 he made his First Profession of religious vows followed by Life Profession of religious vows in 1969. Brother Simon graduated from St. Francis Preparatory School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights. He attended Long Island University and completed a Master of Science degree in science education. Brother Simon attended East Carolina University in Greenville, NC and received a MSA in 1999. Brother Simon held permanent New York State certification in Biology, Chemistry, Science and Earth Science, a principal certificate from the State of NC and a specialist certificate in Science Curriculum. While in the Diocese of Gallup, NM he received certification as master catechist. Brother Simon spent his life as an educator and practitioner of earth sciences. With a class of high school science students, he spearheaded a project to analyze the waters of the Nissequogue River on Long Island and demonstrated its contamination to government officials who, in response to local organizing efforts, moved to renew and safeguard the river. He taught in New York for 19 years, Belgium for a year, and North Carolina for 12 years. Brother Simon inspired a generation of students to appreciate the wonders of creation, from learning to read the night skies to understanding the plant and animal lives sharing our earth. For 7 years, he brought his interests and insights to his work with Native Americans in Thoreau, New Mexico.

Brother Simon’s apostolic ministry included: 

• Teacher, St. Joseph Babylon (1966-70)

• Teacher and Chairman of the Science Department, Saint Anthony’s High School in South Huntington (1971-85)

• Teacher, St. John’s School - Belgium (1985-86)

• Teacher (1988-97) and Principal (1997-2000), St. Peter’s School - Greenville, NC

• Teacher, Saint Bonaventure Indian Mission in Thoreau, NM (2001-08)

Brother Simon is survived by his nephews Peter, Matthew J., Charles J., great-nieces Emily and Sophia, great-nephew William, extended family and his Franciscan Brothers. Viewing will take place on Friday, September 19 from 9:00-10:30 am in Saint Anthony's HS Chapel at 275 Wolf Hill Road, South Huntington, NY. The Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, September 19 at 11:00 am in Saint Anthony's HS Chapel at 275 Wolf Hill Road, South Huntington, NY. Interment is at Holy Rood Cemetery, 111 Old Country Road, Westbury, NY. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a memorial donation to the Franciscan Brothers.

On August 23 2025, we had the pleasure of celebrating the Jubilee's of four of our Brother's.

Congratulations to the following Brothers:

70th Jubilee - Brother Campion Lally, O.S.F.

65th Jubilee - Brother Jeremy Sztabnik, O.S.F.

60th Jubilee - Brother Richard Pinkes, O.S.F.

50th Jubilee - Brother John Joseph Pavin, O.S.F.

Recently, we proudly honored Brother Greg Cellini on the 13th anniversary of Professing Final Vows.

Thank you, Brother Greg, for your unwavering commitment, joyful spirit, and inspiring witness to our community.

Please click the following link to view the livestream of the Funeral Mass for Brother Robert Kent. The Mass will begin at 10am.

Livestream Link for the Funeral Mass of Brother Robert Kent

If you would like to attend the Mass in-person:

Monday, July 21st
Holy Family Church
175-20 74th Ave (off Utopia Pkwy)
Fresh Meadows, NY 11366
10:00 am

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God,  Rest in Peace. Amen

Wake: Sunday, July 20th
Our Lady of Angels Chapel at St. Francis Prep
2:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Mass: Monday, July 21st
Holy Family Church
175-20 74th Ave (off Utopia Pkwy)
Fresh Meadows, NY 11366
10:00 am

Yesterday, heaven touched down in South Huntington. ⁠
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Thousands gathered at Saint Anthony’s High School for a historic Pentecost celebration—The Eucharistic Congress 2025.⁠
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From sunrise processions and powerful witness talks, to music, prayer, Adoration, Confession, and a soul-shaking Holy Mass with Bishop Barres, every moment pointed to one truth: Jesus is alive in the Eucharist.⁠
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🕊️ We worshipped.⁠
🕊️ We listened.⁠
🕊️ We encountered Christ.⁠
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Two nine-day pilgrimages ended at Saint Anthony's. but for so many hearts, a lifelong journey just began.⁠
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