RIP Br Douglas Dawick: Farewell to a Life of Devotion, Dedication, and Care

On 12 January, Br Douglas Dawick passed away in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. Below is an obituary written by Br Darren Burge, the Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province.

It was with great sadness that I received the news that our Br Douglas Dawick died in Auckland on 12 January at 1.00 am. Br Doug was peaceful in his final hours as he had slept most of Sunday and was well cared for by the staff at the hospital. Doug was 87 years old and had been a Marist Brother for 69 years.

Br Douglas Dawick FMS 26.11.1938 - 12.01.2026

For some years Doug had been living with health and heart issues, which worsened in recent months. A significant turning point came in 2018, when he experienced difficulties while overseas. After returning home, further complications emerged through hospital admissions and follow-up tests. By 2025, while living in Auckland, Doug was managing several ongoing health challenges, and a fall led to his admission to Auckland Hospital.

During his time there, he was thankfully well supported, with regular visits from his community, local Brothers, friends, former students, and clergy. Last Friday, he was also able to welcome and spend time with members of his family who visited him at the hospital.

Early childhood and life

Patrick Francis Dawick was born on 26 November 1938 in Aotearoa New Zealand to Arthur and Mary. His only sibling, Ted, came along a while later. He grew up in a happy Catholic family, attending the local convent school and being actively involved in the parish as an altar boy. He later attended Marist High School for Forms One and Two. Inspired by two Marist Brothers who were regular visitors to the family home, he decided, at the end of Form Two, to leave for the Juniorate at Tuakau. He eventually received the habit at the beginning of his novitiate on 12 September 1957.

In a recent interview, Doug described this day by saying, “Still to this day, I rate that as the happiest day of my life. It was just a sense of ultimate happiness; I can't explain it”. This goes some way to explaining the sense of purpose, simplicity and joy that Doug lived as a Brother throughout his life. He became Douglas Patrick Dawick from that day forward.

Br Peter Carroll’s message of condolence highlighted an interesting link: he recalled Doug mentioning to him that he chose the name “Douglas” after reading about a new Brother in Australia named “Douglas Walsh” during his time as a Postulant.

Doug became an excellent teacher at the many schools at which he worked. He was also prominent in the education scene in Fiji, with a number of Marist and Archdiocesan roles. In his approach to teaching, he had that happy blend of being firm, caring and interested in the welfare of his students, which engendered respect.

For his age and the era in which he was trained, Doug was highly qualified. He had a Trained Teachers Certificate and Bachelor of Arts, a Masters in Religious Education and Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Counselling). Doug and his peers in the counselling program were pioneers at this level when counselling was being established in schools throughout the country.

Doug consistently displayed an openness to whatever role he was asked to take on by our leaders and was willing to try new things. This is evident in his preparedness to go to the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea later in his life where he was a significant mentor to our younger Brothers. This attitude, his depth of spirituality and the joy with which he approached life and his vocation are hallmarks of this wonderful Brother.

It is not surprising to know that so many visitors attended the hospital to see Doug in his final days. Doug made great friends wherever he went. The engaging and easy way he connected with people of all ages and walks of life was a palpable characteristic of this charismatic man. When I first met him in the early 2000s, I was immediately struck by his great love for the young people he lived with, so much so that I personally made a visit to see this community. He engaged in conversations as someone with a love for life and a sense of his own purpose and vocation as Brother.

Doug was a caring and compassionate listener, an influential motivator, and a fatherly mentor to many young adults - including former students, school board members, parents, and former Juniors of the Tuakau Juniorate, among others. In recognition of this outstanding service, Doug was awarded the Benemerenti Medal, a papal honour, for his long service to the Church and his commitment to youth and young adults.

Doug took a direct interest in other people’s lives, was present to them, could comfortably share about his own life and valued community life. As a participant in his previous Community of Dialogue, I observed Doug’s enthusiasm for life, his engaging communication with others, his keen sense of humour, and his openness regarding his health challenges.

Br John Hazelman, in his words of condolence, noted that Doug as his Scholastic Master encouraged the young Brothers to focus on being Brothers and to prioritise community life. He also encouraged the younger Brothers to participate in the life of the local church.

He explicitly saw his call and mission as a Marist Brother to be part of the broader Church mission, which harkens back to his early life.

I offer our sympathy to all the Brothers in Aotearoa, especially those who lived with him. I also extend our heartfelt condolences to his brother Ted and his wife Sushila, and to their family. His niece Lynette and nephew Daniel held great love and respect for their “Uncle Pat.” We are also deeply grateful to the entire healthcare team and hospital staff in Aotearoa for their devoted care of Doug in recent times.

May he rest peacefully in the presence of our Lord.

-Br Darren Burge

Provincial