Rev. Harold Bernard Gardner C.S.B.

Died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto. Father Gardner was born in Fairport, New York on September 25, 1929, the ninth of eleven children of William Joseph Gardner and Mildred Amelia Hembrook. He was educated in Fairport Public Schools, and studied for a brief period, both at the Rochester Business Institute and the Rochester Institute of Technology before entering St. Michael’s College (SMC) Toronto, in 1949.

After one year at SMC, he began his Novitiate year in Rochester, was professed and was assigned to SMC where he obtained his BA from the University of Toronto in 1954. Two years of teaching at Detroit Catholic Central High School were followed by three years of Theology at St. Basil’s Seminary, prior to ordination in 1959. He was then asked to pursue Library Science studies, first at the Catholic University of America and then at Case Western Reserve University where he obtained his MS in LS Degree in 1961. Library positions were held at St. Basil Seminary, the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto, the University of St. Thomas, Houston and SMC over the next ten years. Then began a long period of administration at SMC, Assistant Registrar, Registrar, Chaplain and Dean of Men. Concurrently during some of these assignments, he served as Superior of the Basilian Community at SMC from 1981-1987 and was the appointed Principal of Aquinas Institute, Rochester, NY, for a period of five years. Another one and a half years were spent working in Alumni Affairs and Development (SMC). From 1995-1997 he served as Principal of Detroit Catholic Central High School. Many sought Fr. Gardner’s counsel and direction because he was gifted with an open, friendly disposition. His friends, colleagues and confreres admired his wisdom and sense of work ethic. In 1997 he was asked to become Superior of Anglin House, an assisted living home for the Basilian Fathers in Toronto. He said of this appointment: “What a change of pace, but how extremely rewarding to witness the lives lived by Basilians at the end of their active careers!” He served in this role for two years and was much admired for his kindness and attentiveness to the needs of his confreres. He retired in the year 2000 and continued to live in Orsini House, Toronto, always ready to serve his confreres with consideration and thoughtfulness.

Father Gardner is predeceased by his parents, brothers Earl and Gerald and sisters Lucille, Mary, Dorothy, Mabel, Hazel and Barbara. To his brother Robert, sister Margaret Budgeon, cousin Cheryl Lewis, nieces, nephews and numerous friends, the Basilian Fathers offer their condolences and a promise of prayers.

There will be a Vigil Service Tuesday, April 10, at the Cardinal Flahiff Basilian Centre, 95 St. Joseph St., Toronto at 7:30 p.m. with visitation from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Basil’s Church, 50 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 10 a.m. Interment Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Basilian Fathers Retirement Fund, 95 St. Joseph St., Toronto, ON, M5S 3C2.