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- an obituary from Jesuit Mission News, September-October, 2011
Additional bio by Fr. Bill Dwyer (abridged version)
Fr. Philip Hosking SJ, 1927 – 2011
Fr. Hosking was born in Melbourne, Australia on 16 August 1927. He had his schooling at St Patrick’s College, Melbourne. In 1944 he was Captain of the School and in the following year he joined the Society of Jesus in Melbourne. He graduated in Arts from Melbourne University in 1952.
From that time on most of his life was devoted to teaching and school administration. He was twice appointed to the staff of his old school. Apart from classroom activity he was in his younger years a keen sports master, and in two of the schools where he taught he was in charge of the Cadet Corps in which he proudly he held the rank of lieutenant. Over the years of his teaching career in Australia he was responsible for the founding of two schools.
In 1978 he spent his sabbatical leave teaching at St Xavier’s School, Bokaro Steel City. Two years later he returned to India, this time to St Xavier’s, Hazaribag. He spent fourteen memorable years on the staff of St Xavier’s, Hazaribag, both as a teacher and as Vice-Principal of the High School. Fr Hosking is remembered by his students as an excellent teacher who elicited exacting work from his students. Although his original Degree was in Arts, he was a competent teacher of not just English and History, but at different times of Geography, his favorite subject, and even Physics.
Fr. Hosking’s other contribution was to the school library. He made annual excursions to Kolkata to stock up on the latest publications, and encouraged students to cultivate a reading habit.
In his seventieth year he experienced tiredness and decided to retire from school teaching. He moved to Sitagarha, where for the next nine years he gave occasional classes in English and General Knowledge to the young Jesuits in training. They used to marvel at the breadth of his knowledge.
Age and poor health forced him to spend the remaining years of his life in retirement in Sydney. After a few months of deteriorating health, he died quietly in a nursing home on the night of 15 May 2011, aged 84.
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Zafar Obaid (1988)
Fr. Hosking was one of the few teachers whom i admire due to his dedication to students and way of learning. He taught me in class X th only. I owe my excellence and confidence in English language to him.
A great teacher and pleasing personality. We used to see him after classes were over for extra guidance.
He will be in my memories forever.
Dr. Zafar Obaid
Class X th - 1988
Md Rashid Jaffrey (2000)
Fr Hosking...a thorough gentleman was instrumental in shaping St Xavier's.
Subrata Sanyal (1984)
I left St Xavier's, Hazaribagh in the year 1984 but kept regularly in touch with my very dear Fr Hosking thru letters till 2003.
Father even wrote to me from Australia and I still preserve his letters as a treasure ! He was my source of inspiration and I always looked up to him for guidance till I was in touch with him. His thoughts are still fresh in my mind I pray to God for peace to this great soul.
I MISS U FATHER.................
Subrata Sanyal
(Class of 1984)
Aanand Gaurav (1993)
The world would not be the same after Our dear Father Hosking.
There are numerous memories which cannot be penned down in words... but to say that he was one of the best teachers who came in my life would be actually be an understatement for he was perhaps more than that.
Never say die - was may be a famous movie but I am sure many of my friends know that he tought us this virtue in many of his interactions and motivations he did quietly and without advertisements.
Teachers do not only teach lessons they teach life and he did that all his life...
I will miss you always father .... and I cannot say thanks father for that will make me feel small... thanks can never be all for all the memories you gave.
May you keep smiling in Heaven...
Aanand Gaurav
Class of 1993.
Deepak Kumar (1991)
Dear Sir,
It was always a pleasure attending your classes. Memories of the trips that we have had with you are still fresh and will remain so forever.
The letter that you wrote to me after my graduation from the School is a prized possession.
Thank you so much for teaching me some of the most important lessons of my life.
Deepak
Class of 1991
Abhijit Chatterjee (1987)
All our Adulation to such a Great teacher. He had been so kind, loving, caring yet strict. His personality was so huge before us that whatever I speak today in English, it is because of his care and serious mentoring. I remember, getting english paper back from him, used to be such a fearing event. It used to give me goose bumps and then he ensured that he put every detailed correction on the paper itself. On the passing out day, he blessed me, while I kneeled down before him. It was such a great experience and will be with me lifelong. I am sure, almost everyone of us, have experience such affection, love as well as strict directions. On this teacher's day, I offer my salutation to him. RIP Father Hosking. I love you, still.....
Shreedhar Singh (Singh) (1988)
father P D Hosking has been the best teacher i have ever had in my life. i still remember the long notes he used to write in our copy and workbook and his way of pampering us to do the best. i remember when Australia won the cricket world cup and the whole class stood up to congratulate him on Australia's victory then is simply said that he belongs to india is an Indian.
a great person, a great teacher and a true dedicated person.
i miss u a lot.