In Memory

Fr. Oswald Summerton S. J.

Fr Oswald (“Os” or “Ossie”) Summerton SJ died in Delhi on the evening of Oct 22nd, 2012, aged 86.


Fr Summerton was born in Sydney on 19th August 1926. After his secondary education he studied at Sydney Technical College and was for two years a  trainee engineer with Amalgated Wireless of Australia. As a teenager he was a champion middle distance runner and held several State records. He left his career and running behind to join the Jesuits on Loyola Day 1946. After some preliminary Jesuit training he was appointed to India in 1952.


HOXANs from the  middle 1950’s will remember  him as a science teacher. When the school reached the secondary level Fr John Moore sent Fr Summerton to Calcutta to get science equipment. He then set up the three laboratories; they remain today much the same as he had set them for almost half a century.


Fr Summerton did a science degree in St Xavier’s College, Ranchi. Later he did further studies in the UK and USA. In London he did Post Graduate studies in Education. Later he completed an M Sc in Operations Research, at Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland. He is remembered  a resourceful Principal of the Primary Teachers Training College in Sitagarha.

As time went on he studied Transaction Analysis and  took up counselling. He  was a founding member of TACET – Transactional Analytic Centre for Educational Research and Training. 

Fr. Summerton was buried on October 25 at Nicholson cemetery near the Jesuits’ Delhi province headquarters.

You can read more about Fr. Summerton's extensive life work here at his website . Obituaries can be found at Province Express  ( a newsletter of the Australian Jesuits) and at UCAN .

Senior Hoxans will find nostalgia in his personal recounting of his early experiences at Xavier's in a speech given during the 2008 HOXA Reunion celebrations. Also attached is a speech given by Fr. Summerton on his 85th birthday.

(Thanks to Radha Kapuria, a student of Fr. Summerton, and Fr. PJ James SJ, current Principal at SXS for above info)

Condolence messages may be viewed/added at the bottom of this page. 

Some photos of Fr. Summerton: (More photos can be found at Fr.Summerton's  website)

Fr. Summerton with children at their first communion in 2011

 

Training Tribal leaders at TACET



 
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23/10/12 05:39 PM #4    

Jose Thachil (1985)

May the Great Soul R.I.P


24/10/12 12:31 AM #5    

Manoj Goyal (1990)

MAY THE SOUL REST IN PEACE


24/10/12 12:36 AM #6    

Niladri Chakravarty (2009)

Another pillar who played such an important role in the development of our school goes down, but the values will continue to remain with us till eternity and we will be united and stronger than ever.

Although I have never known him personally, but such a sad demise of a veteran is something to mourn about. May his soul Rest In Peace. You will always be remebered dear father.


crying


24/10/12 01:12 AM #7    

Santanu Roy Bardhan (1970)

This is very sad news indeed. May his soul rest in peace.


24/10/12 10:48 AM #8    

Topan (Tk) Bhattacharya (1960)

I was fortunate to be a student of Father Summertin.  I still remember not turning off one of the burners in the lab and how gently he explained to me how dangerous that was.  He really made us love science.

Topan Bhattacharya, 1960 batch


24/10/12 04:18 PM #9    

Anumula Gitesh Sarma (Sarma) (1975)

My heartfelt condolences.


24/10/12 05:16 PM #10    

H G Harsha (1972)

Although, he was not in SXS during our time, it is not difficult to imagine the compassion he must have had for people, which made him dedicate his entire life in their service.

Salute the great soul.

RIP.

HG Harsha (1972)


25/10/12 12:29 AM #11    

Manish Ranjan (2001)

It's my pleasure to write about Father Oswald Summerton CJ. He was a very kind hearted person and such a great personality. It is a very sad news for us that Father Summerton is no more with us. He will always be in my heart for ever. 

Manish Ranjan

 


26/10/12 09:58 PM #12    

Gul R Chandiramani (Gul Chandra) (1961)

I had the honour to re meet Fr Summerton in Pune during the HOXA celebrations - and all past memories of the early years ( Boys Scouts ) were talked about . He remembered well even after a lapse of 50 years.

He was a great soul and May the Good Lord keep him at His Lotus Feet. 


13/11/12 05:00 PM #13    

Radha Kapuria

Fr. Os was more than a mentor: more than a friend, philosopher and guide to me-he was a life-saver. As a life-giving counsellor, he helped me heal and gave my life new hope and direction. From the way he lived his life, I learnt the meaning of true faith, humility, gentleness, kindness, forgiveness, love and how to be a generous giver. His many capabilities and competencies were all yoked to fulfilling his God-given mission of helping souls—of all kinds—in distress. We (his most recent students) truly miss him today, at the same time thank God for the gift of his wonderful life! Dear HOXAns, as we mourn him together today, I hope you read his website made by us, to know more about his life post-SXH! http://oswaldsummerton.weebly.com/


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