Robert Elwood Fillmore

Brother Robert Elwood Fillmore, C.S.C., age 75, died on January 28, 2015 at Dujarie House, in Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame, IN. He was born in Barberton, OH, on May 1, 1939, the son of Elwood and Helen (Rogers) Fillmore. He attended St. Augustine Elementary School in Barberton, OH, and St. Mary's High School in Akron, graduating in 1957. That winter he decided to join the Holy Cross Brothers and entered Sacred Heart Juniorate in Watertown, WI, on December 9, 1957. He began his year of religious training at St. Joseph's Novitiate in Rolling Prairie, IN, and pronounced his first vows as a Brother of Holy Cross on January 26, 1959. He began college studies at St. Edward's University in Austin, TX, graduating with a bachelor's degree in July 1962. His first assignment was to teach at Boysville of Michigan, for 7 years and then served as Vocation Director for 7 years. He studied for a year to earn a degree in spirituality at the Berkley School of Theology in Oakland, CA. He put that into practice by serving for 20 years as the campus minister at Holy Cross High in River Grove, IL, at Our Lady of Westside Schools and Holy Trinity High in Chicago, IL, and Archbishop Hoban High in Akron, OH. He was co-director of the TEC program for the Archdiocese of Chicago for 4 years.

Bob's mission in life was youth ministry. He was a mentor for hundreds in inner-city areas. When Bob taught at Holy Trinity High School his students had homework assignments to provide service to people in the neighborhoods. Bob lived on the south side of Chicago and took pride in leading youth retreats in neighborhoods, especially in St. Ailbe's parish with Kujenga retreats. One of his favorite slogans was "We don't fear the future, we embrace it." He lived in a home on South Marshall Boulevard. He helped many kids stay away from drugs, so that parents loved him. He was always a "people person." He didn't preach it, but lived a life of giving example to everyone he worked with or met.

Bob's leadership skills were evident while serving on the provincial council for 7 years. He was chosen to be the Assistant Provincial in 2000. When a situation occurred within our Province, Bob was asked by the Superior General to assume the role as Provincial Superior. He accepted it with a smile. He performed so well that he was unanimously elected Provincial Superior for a 6-year term in 2003. Even in the new responsibility, Bob maintained his friendly out-going interest in people and ministries in the province and on trips to Ghana and Bangladesh. When it came to fund raising for the development Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame, Bob was always available to help the development directors when visiting schools, cities, and groups to seek the necessary funds to complete the building of the beautiful Andre' Place. Bob's role as Provincial involved numerous meetings dealing with policy, projects, school administration decisions and committees. Bob would examine problems in different ways. He had a strong belief in the help of Blessed Father Moreau and St. Brother Andre Bessette in his life. When a decision had to be made, he would pray over it and was firm and unafraid in making it and moving forward.

When Bob's role as Provincial Superior ended in 2009, he lived in Holy Cross Village and each week he would travel to Chicago to help at Holy Trinity High in student projects. Unfortunately, Bob's health started failing with mental problems and neropathy. He spent the last four years living in Schubert Villa and Dujarie House with people who were so dear to his heart.

One of Bob's closest friends was Brother Tom Minta who, like Bob, led a life in caring for others. Tom spent many years working in the deaf ministry in Chicago. Tom and Bob were pranksters often pulling jokes on one another. Tom lived with his sister in Chicago. He died suddenly on January 8th of last year, exactly one year and 20 days before Bob's death last Wednesday. When I called Tom's sister to tell her of Bob's death, she responded: "Lord! Lord! There's gonna be a big mess in heaven with those two characters together again!"

Visitation will be held on February 3, 2015, at St. Joseph Chapel, Holy Cross College from 9:30 to 11:00 am on the grounds of Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame, IN. The Mass of Resurrection will follow with interment afterward in St. Joseph's Cemetery of the Village. Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions, in honor of Brother Robert Fillmore, C.S.C., to support the mission and ministries of the Brothers may be sent to: Brothers of Holy Cross, Office of Development, P.O. Box 460, Notre Dame, IN 46556.