The Tablet Staff
A Mass of Christian Burial for Brother Ralph Darmento, FSC, Deputy Superintendent of Schools, was celebrated Aug. 18 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Windsor Terrace. He died Friday, Aug. 14 at Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn. He was 68.
Brother Ralph was a native of Brooklyn who entered the Christian Brothers in 1974, at the Novitiate in Ontario, Canada. He received the habit on Sept. 29, 1974 and pronounced final vows in Providence, R.I., on Jan. 5, 1982.
He taught at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, Brooklyn, 1973-1974; LaSalle Academy, Providence, 1975-79; Sacred Heart School, Manhattan, 1979-80; LaSalle Academy, Providence, 1980-84; St. John’s College H.S., Washington, DC, 1984-87; LaSalle Academy, Manhattan, 1987-88; LaSalle Military Academy, Oak- dale, LI, 1988-89; Archbishop Carroll H.S., Washington, DC, 1989-92; St. Raphael Academy, Pawtucket, RI, 1992-93; and LaSalle Academy, Manhattan, 1993-96.
“Brother Ralph Darmento was an outstanding educational leader in many dioceses. Here in Brooklyn and Queens, we owe him a special debt of gratitude for his work with our academy boards, our high schools and our efforts to articulate the meaning of Catholic identity and mission in our educational network,” said Bishop James Massa, auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn and rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary and College.
“Our principals and colleagues in the diocese will especially miss his wisdom and example of deep devotion to Christ the Teacher,” said Bishop Massa, who was previously vicar for Education for the Diocese of Brooklyn.
From 1996 to 2013, Brother Ralph worked in the Education Office of the Archdiocese of Newark, before coming to the Schools Office in Brooklyn.
“Brother Ralph was a teacher of teachers. His commitment to the mission of Catholic education was evident in all that he did,” said Brooklyn Diocese Superintendent of Schools Thomas Chadzutko. “He truly loved the ministry of Catholic education and worked tirelessly to share his enthusiasm for Catholic education with everyone. I am blessed to have learned so much from him.”
Bishop Raymond Chappetto was the main celebrant of the funeral Mass. Special concelebrants included: Bishop James Massa, who preached the homily; Msgr. Kevin Noone; and Fathers Ilyas Gill and Robert B. Adamo.
Sister Maryann Lopiccolo, SC, delivered a tribute following Communion. She said that Brother Ralph was an extraordinary teacher and administrator who was dedicated to educating the poor and making sure they had the means to attaining a better life, in the spirit of his community’s founder, St. John Baptist de LaSalle.
Brother Ralph is survived by his sister, Maria, and her family. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Flatbush.
