From parochial ministries across the pond to caring for the sick north of the border, Brother Hugh MacIsaac, SA, delivered reconciliation and the Friars’ At-One-Ment message throughout his life.
On Tuesday, January 24, God called him from this world and Brother Hugh entered into Eternal Life at the age of 82.
Born on June 29, 1940 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, Brother Hugh received his habit on July 25, 1958 and took his first vows as a Franciscan Friar of the Atonement on July 26, 1960. Exactly five years later, he became a fully-professed Atonement Friar.
In the late 1960s, Brother Hugh served in the Catholic Central Library in London, England. He remained in England until 1973, taking on parochial ministry at Manor Methodist Church in London.
Brother Hugh spent some of his ministry in his native Canada, too, continuing parochial ministry at St. Paul’s in Vancouver, British Columbia from 1973-1980. Later, from 1999 to 2009, he ministered at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Vancouver.
St. Vincent’s wasn’t the only hospital Brother Hugh served at, as he had previously been the Chaplain at Martin Luther King Hospital in Los Angeles, California, from 1992 to 1995. Brother Hugh went on to take up parochial ministry at St. Odilia in Los Angeles, and was the Chaplain at Vacaville State Prison from 1995 to 1999. In 1996, he simultaneously worked prison ministry in Sacramento, California.
Before that, from 1982 to 1990, he served in parochial ministry in Jamaica.
Brother Hugh began his ministry working in the culinary department at Graymoor’s St. Paul Friary, in September of 1960. He became Guardian of the St. Paul Friary at Graymoor in 2011. He also worked in the culinary department St. John’s Seminary in Montour Falls, serving in that department for four years before transitioning to an administrative role at the seminary. He later took up an administrative services position at St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center in Saranac Lake, New York, from 1980-81.
Brother Hugh is survived by his brothers Alexander and Angus; and sisters Bernadette, Ann Louise, Mary and Frances. He is predeceased by his sister, Margaret, and his parents, Mary Belle and Alexander.
The Friars will hold a wake service at 7 p.m. on Friday, January 27, at St. Anthony Chapel at Graymoor’s St. Paul Friary. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 28 at St. Anthony Chapel, with interment to follow immediately in the Friars’ cemetery.
Ministry well done. Rest in Peace my fellow Cape Bretonner.
Thankyou for a beautiful sermon on the life of Hugh at his Requiem today. I had the great honour of working alongside him as a hospital chaplain at I’Connor Hospital, San Jose. He was rooted in love .. of God and others. I visited him too as he worked at a food kitchen(?) in Vancouver BC thereafter. A really great guy. God bless and keep you dear friend. Rest in Peace. Rory
Bro Hughie and his bubbly and smiling personality, hold a special place in the hearts of my wife and myself. We used to laugh and drink together in the Coach and Horses Pub in Victoria, London in the late 60s and early 70s often we used to go back to the library where he worked and prayed, and spend time too with brother Emmanuel, and brother Pius. They were gentle yet uproarious evenings. Hughie had kindly sense of humour and was always welcoming to everyone who encountered. I believe he loved his time in London as we all loved him. We lost him after those times to his mission that followed on do many places. We are not Catholics, but we never forgot him.
Cousin Huey, was always a simple easy to love man. I got to know him a bit when we were very young and then he went off to join the brotherhood. Reading his bio it is impressive. How many places he served and people he helped. I tip my hat with genuine admiration for cousin Huey. Everybody else knew him as brother Martinus and as brother Hugh Macisaac. Go in peace my good friend, I hope to see you again one day. Your cousin,
Chum
Grew up with Hughie in Sydney. Many good memories. Last saw him at his 50th Anniversary in Graymoor. May he rest in peace.
Condolences to the MacIsaac family. Hughie was a fine person with such a welcoming way and great sense of humor . He clearly chose the right path in his life of ministry and it took him to many places helping those less fortunate as noted in his obituary. I have fond memories of Hughie when he visited many times to our home in Sydney as he was a close friend of my brother. My mother affectionately called him her “#3 son”. Ironically, I had not seen him for years and he surprisingly walked into my mothers hospital room on the day when she was passing away. He was of such support to me that day and I still marvel at that timing.
Eternal Memories .
So sorry to hear of bro.Hughs passing I got to know him when visiting my uncle bro.Pius Mac Isaac and when my uncle passed bro Hugh looked after my brother and me while we were there for my uncles funeral I have deep love for Graymoor, God bless bro Hugh and all at Graymoor.
Rest in Peace Brother .. God Speed into the Arms of Jesus