Links:

Fr. Francis Comerford and Related Photos

The Comerford Family History Blog

Comments Received

John Fernandes, Class of'59 : Your inspirational leadership elevated the school to new heights, thank you for this. Wishing you the very best for your 91st birthday

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Marilyn D'Souza :Unfortunately I am not a past student, but I am taking the liberty of sending a message to Fr. Frank Comerford for whom my family and I have always had the highest esteem from his years as Parish Priest in Thika and from before, in his spells in Kilima Mbogo. Of all his qualities the one I remember best was his wonderful sense of humour and ability to laugh at himself! Happy Birthday Father and many thanks for all the good you did for your parishioners in Thika!

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Arlene (Trinidade) Johnson, Class of '64: Dear Uncle Frank: You will always be in my thoughts. You were our favorite visitor for Sunday lunch at our home in Makupa.

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Austin Trinidade, Class of '63: Although my sister Arlene and I did not enter DRGS until Fr. Comerford had left we both knew him as little kids when he worked in Mombasa where we were born. He became a close family friend and in fact both Arlene and I called him Uncle Frank. As kids we were fascinated by his handsome features and lovely blue eyes. We would sit for hours listening to his stories and his wonderful command of the English language; his poetry and his humour. Later we moved to Nairobi and he continued his regular home visits. I remember him helping me with my Latin and Essays. Both Arlene and I have very fond memories of this beloved priest. Happy Birthday Uncle Frank

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Rudy Rodrigues, Class of '59: I was once asked to name three people who had the greatest infulence in my life. Without hesitation, I named Fr Comerford as one. He inspired me to reach out beyond my self-imposed limitations and challanged me to strive for the sky in order to land on the clouds. He instilled the seeds of leadership in me and dared me do things beyond my comfort zone. Thanks to Fr Comerford, I have lead a full, exciting and satisfying life in a multicultural enviornment. 1959

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Clive & Alba Ferrao, Class of 59 & 61: Dear Rev. Father Comerford, Wow! We cannot believe that you are going to be 91 on April 23. How wonderful! My wife, Alba (ex-Pinto - Class of '61) and I (Class of '59) would like to wish you a Very Happy Birthday! May God continue to bless you with good health, and much happiness. Thanks very much for what you did for us at Dr. Ribeiro Goan School. The photographs on the website sure brings back good memories of you. This world needs more priests like you. Please do remember us in your prayers and we will remember you too especially on April 23.

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Paul Sequeira, Class of '58: Long before "the student movement" began in the United States and drastically changed the conservative direction of human rights issues there, more than half-way around the world, an earlier "student movement" was already in effect in Nairobi at the Dr. Ribeiro Goan School. Over a half-century later, I can still feel the blazing hot, noon-day sun and hear the chant of our fellow students in unison as we marched in parade formation from Parklands to town demanding: "We want Father Comerford back!!!" Despite the high noon, we would not budge until the Commissioner stepped out and assured us that we would have Father Comerford back as our principal. Looking back on this critical day in our youth, it was a moment of being in our young lives where we were able to embrace, and actually demonstrate, on behalf of justice and fair play. During our formative years Father Comerford came into our lives as the epitome of respect, love, and fair play. His presence and the memory of his essence has transported us with intellectual and spiritual nourishment and hope over the subsequent decades into a new millennium, and his very being has made a tremendous positive difference in our lives. Thank you, Father Comerford. Our love and best wishes are sent to you as you celebrate your birthday. God bless!

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Bernard Ribeiro, Class of '57: Dear Rev. Fr. Frank Comerford, You may not remember me, but I was one of the students of Dr. Ribeiro Goan School who participated in the school strike during your reign as Principal. In any event, I shall always remember you as one of the Greatest Principals the school has ever had. You even baptized my first born daughter in 1964 at St. Francis Xavier's Church. I realize that I can't expect you to remember this, but it is one of the events that I always treasure. On this propitious occassion, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very, very Happy 91st. Birthday may God shower you with his Blessings and Graces, and may the good Lord protect you and keep you in the pink of health. God Bless.

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Aires Fernandes, Class of 65: Happy 91st Birthday!

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Avinash Chitnis, Class of '57: I don’t think that any of us can ever forget dear Father Frank Comerford, that charming blue-eyed Irish gentleman who joined the Goan School as Principal in 1957. His interest and teachings went far beyond the regular school curriculum. One afternoon, after lunch, he felt that we should learn to appreciate the niceties of classical music. So he devoted the whole period to playing us his personal gramophone record of Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, explaining to us the various passages in the symphony and the role that each instrument played in the whole composition. All of us felt a deep sense of sorrow when he left his post as Principal of the school in 1958. I personally owe him a deep debt of gratitude. When the mark-sheets for the 1957 Senior Cambridge exam arrived at the school, it was found that I had secured a Distinction in almost all subjects except Science. I had failed in Science instead of passing with Distinction, as we had all expected. So Father Comerford called me to his office for a discussion. I told him that Science was my favorite subject and that I found the questions in the Science exam were quite easy. Father Comerford told me not to worry and immediately sent a telegram to the examiners at the University of Cambridge to re-check my Science paper. The examiners telegrammed back the next day that there had been a clerical error in writing up my marks. Instead of giving me over 90% marks in Science, some clerk had accidentally given me less than 10% marks! It wasn’t easy in those days to send telegrams and to get bureaucracies to admit their errors – but Father Comerford managed that feat on my behalf. As a result of his help, I went on to pursue my ambition of a career in Electrical Engineering. Thank you, dear Father Comerford for all that you did for us! With love and gratitude,

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Lui (Carvalho) Heaton, Class of '65: Happy Birthday Fr Comerford! I was not priviledged to be a student under your headmastership as I moved to Dr Ribeiro Goan School Nairobi in 1960. However my family and I did know you from our life (and yours) in Mombasa. There, you were a much loved and respected priest, known for your ever-ready smile, twinkling blue eyes and ever-kind words. I have remembered you through the decades for this. Happy Birthday!

Maria Fraser nee Fernandes, Class of '63: Thank you Fr. Comerford for the spiritual and professional guidance during my secondary school years at Dr. Ribero's. Today, I am grateful to be able to serve the Inuit peoples in the Eastern Arctic of Canada as a registered out-post nurse and have been here for the past twenty years. May God bless you on your 91st Birthday with joy and happiness.

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Rowland & Ella Rebello, Class of '59: Rev.Fr.Comerford: We wish you a very happy 91st birthday and all the best in Ireland. I used to correspond with you when you were in Australia. God bless.

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Muriel Lucas, Class of 61: Dear Rev.Father Comerford: First and foremost, my warmest congratulations and very best wishes on your 91st birthday! You have reached a great milestone in your life, one that you have carried with such grace,dignity and fortitude. I do not expect you to remember me, but I was one of the participants who took part alongside many ex-Students,( especially my fellow classmates i.e.Class of '59 -THE MODERNS mainstream)who marched to the Education Board, at Gill House, Nairobi, on that fateful day! My fellow classmate, namely, Alban Coutinho and his brother Tony,(I have been given permission by his sister Lena to mention their names), manned the Placard which stated "We want our Principal Back" I am proud to say that I was,together with these two boys and some ex-students and classmates, who made the front pages of the local paper..(we are still trying to get a copy of this clipping. Also,a picture of our class, THE MODERNS, also made the front pages! The boys in my class, I am sorry to say, were the rowdiest in the whole school and gave the teachers a very hard time, and am proud to say you handled them with such tact and diplomacy and am pleased to say, that they turned out to be fine young men then, and today older and wiser! They called themselves the "Yellow Canaries" - These fine ex-students know who they are and are equally grateful to you! - Needless to say, you have, no doubt, left an INDELIBLE MARK, not only on my classmates, but to all the Ex-Students of DRGS. We are proud to have known you! You will forever be etched in our hearts. Students scattered across and around the Globe SALUTE you on reaching this amazing milestone - your 91st year! May God's choicest blessings shower on you now and forever! 'KWAHERI' and God bless.

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Felix Rodrigues, Class of 57: Congratulations and the very best to you on your 91st birthday Fr. Comerford. As a student, during your tenure as principal, I am very grateful to you for your guidance and encouragement not only in my final year but also after leaving DRGS. I can recall on many occasions since then that I had the pleasure of meeting you, in particular at the baptism of Bernard Ribeiro’s daughter, Sharon, where I was privileged to be her godfather. There is a picture, with Bernard’s approval, on the website. Wishing you God’s blessings and good health.

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Jeffrey Fialho, Class of '64: A very Happy 91st Birthday to you Father Comerford. I shall always remember that smiling face and friendly wave as you drove into school in that pristine yellow Ford Anglia - KFN 377. Also, I remember you as being the only principal to use his cane on me - albeit a light tap on the palm of my left hand for arriving late to school one morning. Roll on the next nine years and God Bless.

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Lena, Tony & Alban Coutinho '58 - 59: Remembering you dear Fr. Comerford is so easy to do as you are someone very special and that is why it is such a pleasure wishing you many happy returns of the day on your 91st birthday. My brother Tony remembers the pranks he played on you pulling your brief case from behind as you were walking downtown and making you jump. The other brother Alban recalls you discipling him and the other boys for misbehaving then feeling sorry for them and at the end of the day taking them out in your car for icecream. Muriel verifies that this is true. I recall all the good things you did for us - like introducing us to classical music, playing chess etc, and taking us on a picnic to Thika - Mzuri Sana. Far too many wonderful memories to jot down. We look back at the lessons we have learned and the good times we have shared. Thank you for all you have done for us. God Bless.

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Steve and Marjie Fernandes, Class of '59: Dear Fr Comerford, congratulations on your forthcoming 91st Birthday on the 23rd of April. Marjorie and I wish you all the best and please have a stiff drink on me - you could send me the bill. Our sincere thanks for blessing our engagement as well as presiding over our wedding ceremony at the Holy Family Cathedral exactly 41 years ago today. God bless.

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John D'Souza, Class of '57: Fr. Francis Comerford became the Principal of the Goan Secondary School, Nairobi in early 1957 when I was in my final year. Until then my approach to learning was based on the principle of least work. Do just enough to bring home a school report with no underlined red failure marks and thus incur parental reproach. Avoid trying to be ahead of the Class – this was the domain of Avinash Chitnis who held the position for four years. The effort of staying in the top ranks meant a lot of book learning . Teaching was usually by rote, to pass exams, with little or no notions of the happenings in the world at large. When Fr. Comerford came on the scene things changed. He personally taught some of the classes and monitored the progress of his students, none of that que sera sera approach. Everyone had to do their best . The whole class was admonished at times for lax work ethics. Fr. Comerford opened us to the world beyond the realm of textbooks. He introduced us to classical music and literature, especially humor, the works of P.G. Woodhouse and Richard Gordon. If “Susegad” was a movement to describe the Goan approach to life in those colonial times, I considered myself the “heir apparent” to the upper echelons of any such organization. Of course, as we all know, to describe “Susegad” as a movement, is an oxymoron. This state of mind was to end soon. One day I was summoned with Avinash Chitnis to Fr. Comerford’s Office. We were directed to uphold the standing of the School and the Community by getting First Grades in the Cambridge School Exams. For Avinash this was no problem. For me it meant getting on a high-speed treadmill and staying there for the rest of my scholastic and working life. Only now after achieving the proverbial three score and ten years it feels appropriate to get back to the “Susegad” mode of life if only I can remember how. If the job of an educator is to bring enlightenment to his charges, Fr. Comerford did this in many ways. He is remembered at Ex-Students Reunions of the Nairobi Goan School to this day. We wish him well on his 91st birthday and when the time comes, to the embrace of the Lord who sent him on his mission.

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Dr. Pius Mendonca, Class of '57: “Nobody laughs like an Irishman”. These are the words that ring in my ears when I think of Father Comerford. I was privileged and fortunate enough to meet Father Comerford in Ireland in June 2005 when I made a special trip to see him. We spent time reminiscing about the good old Dr. Ribeiro Goan School and his time in Kenya. Fr Comerford was a nurturing and protective priest who did not allow internal administrative tension of the Governing body of the Dr. Ribeiro Goan School deter him from what he was called to do. He uplifted the morale of students who were struggling to believe in themselves and instilled in them the hope that there would be another sunrise. He helped students to discover their true potential. He gave students the courage to pursue their own vision, clarity to pursue this vision and strength to continue when they experienced obstacles and set backs. I, too, was very fortunate to be mentored by him on many levels and appreciated his pastoral and encouraging insight. I can still remember the day the majority of students marched to the Education Department with the banner “No Father Comerford, no School”. Now in the sunset of his life I wish him God’s peace and blessings on his 91 birthday.

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Delfine Da Costa, Class of '63: Norman and I would like to wish you a very Happy 91st Birthday. Time sure does fly. We have fond memories of our DRGS days. You had a tremendously positive impact on the school and many of the students, thank you and God Bless.

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Belivia, Da Costa Fernandes, Class of '63: Adolf ('57) and I ('63) wish you a Very Happy 91st Birthday and continued good health. You will always be remembered as one of the greatest Principals during our days at DRGS. Congratulations and God Bless.

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Zorita Pereira, Class of '65: Dear Father Comeford, May Almighty God bless you . I remember my eldest brother marching for you. I was in Primary School then. I am hoping our letteers to DRGS65 will keep our Glorious Catholic Faith alive for many years to come and touch the hearts of our School in Nairobi today and the students there. I remember singing for eleven years Daily daily Sing to Mary and on Fridays, The Sacred Heart of Jesus. I love O Lady of Fatima Hail,

all these were sang at School. Thank you for your influence there. May Jesus and Mary bless you.

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Claire Fonseca, Class of 61: Dear Fr. Comerford, Gerson always recalled being sent out of class by Mr. Martin, and you coming along and taking him to purchase sports equipment!! He often told this story to our Granddaughters, Michelle and Samantha. I only did my secondary school education at the Dr Ribeiro Goan School, but can never forget how you agreed to my admission to Form 1 on the condition that my sister, Tina, agreed to teach at the Primary School for the year 1958. The excitement of the school strike, and the march to Gill House are still very vivid in my memory when we heard that you were no longer our Principal. Here's to all those memorable occasions; those certainly were the days!

Cheers! A Very Happy 91st Birthday, Good Health and God Bless.

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Vivienne (Dias) D'Silva, Class of '63: Congratulations and a very happy birthday Fr. Comerford. In our youth, we saw you often, always smiling and kind. Your style of leading was probably 50 years ahead of the times and we benefited greatly. Both my brothers, Edward and Nelson, always talked highly of you and we loved your visits to our house. Have a wonderful day.

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Xavier Carvalho, Class of '66: Happy 91st Birthday Father. May you have a great healthy year. One of my earliest memories at the Goan School is being yanked out of class by my elder cousin Stephen Fernandes and pushed into the protest march. At the time both Leslie & I had no idea why were marching. Years later we were englightened and it is a tribute that a half century later your pupils still admire and cherish you.