Br Kenneth Preston died peacefully at Calvary Flora McDonald Retirement Community in Adelaide on Wednesday 20 November. He was the oldest Brother in the Marist Brothers Province of Australia and celebrated his 97th birthday only last week. Ken was also the last remaining Australian Marist Brother who saw active service in World War Two.
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Br Ken was a highly respected member of the Red Bend Catholic College community for many years. He spent 44 years of his life in the Wilcannia Forbes Catholic Diocese. He was the Principal of Red Bend Catholic College from 1966-1969; Holy Family Parkes from 1977-1982 and St Laurence's Forbes from 1983-1987. He was an excellent Primary teacher and Principal: dedicated, thorough, organised, and caring. In 2010 he was named the Forbes Citizen of the Year in recognition of his "tireless service" including volunteering at the St Vincent De Paul Society, The Forbes Christian book shop and visiting the elderly in the retirement villages.
Ken was a deeply caring and compassionate man. He was often the person a family in distress would contact. Whether it was an illness, and accident or a death in the family he would always respond to them. After Ken retired from any formal school position he remained engaged and attentive: for instance he ran the 'please and thank you laundry' where he washed the clothes of the boarders whose families could not afford the local laundry service or the College's sports gear and volunteered in the school canteen.
Br Ken lived his life firmly committed to his faith and to his life as a Brother. He was a treasure and he will be greatly missed. A Memorial Mass will be held at the Red Bend Catholic College Chapel on Monday 2 December at 6pm. All are welcome.
