Brother Ramon Edward Daunis

Brother Ramon Daunis, 95 years old, passed peacefully into eternal life on Friday, June 7 (the Feast of the Sacred Heart), around 7:30 PM.  He spent his last days in The Crossing at Clarity Hospice in Baton Rouge, LA, after suffering several severe strokes.

 Ramon Edward Daunis was born in New Orleans, LA, on July 13, 1928, one of four children of Frederick Daunis and Cecile Paysse.  He joined the community at the Metuchen pre-novitiate in February 1947, during his final year at Saint Stanislaus College (SSC).  Ramon continued with his novitiate formation in Metuchen beginning in August 1947 and professed his first vows there on August 15, 1948. He made a lifetime commitment as a Brother of the Sacred Heart at Spring Hill College on August 15, 1954.

 Ramon was a teacher all of his life, but he never set foot in a classroom – at least not to give a lecture or to administer an exam.  Rather, Brother Ramon was assigned to maintenance work at such places as Coindre Hall (Huntingdon, NY); St. Aloysius (New Orleans, LA); Catholic High (Baton Rouge, LA); and Saint Stanislaus College (Bay St. Louis, MS).  He spent countless hours working humbly behind the scenes, keeping up with tons of dirty laundry, fixing broken things, maintaining HVAC systems, and sitting atop a tractor mowing school grounds and athletic fields too numerous to number.  His best work of forming young men took place after school and at Saturday school when he worked alongside those who needed some ‘extra attention’ and personal guidance. Ramon treasured those moments when he could offer some “friendly discipline” and interject his own brand of humor to reach those struggling students.  It was during these times and in his own inimitable way that he built relationships that would last a lifetime. 

Aside from his maintenance work, Ramon was also asked to serve as prefect at SSC (Bay St. Louis, MS); D’Evereux Hall (Natchez, MS); and Catholic Boys Home (Mobile, AL).

 Ramon’s favorite “teaching” assignment took place in a ski boat at Camp Stanislaus, where he developed self-esteem in young people by patiently teaching them how to water ski.  In his younger days, Ramon could also entertain campers and counselors, alike, with his skiing prowess, getting up out of the water on almost anything from a wooden oar to his bare feet.  He was a legend up and down the Jourdan River and throughout Bay St. Louis, MS.  Almost everyone knew or knew of Brother Ramon, and most had been taught how to ski or how to drive a ski boat by this ‘Brother on the River.’  The new Ski Camp, rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina, now bears his name.

Ramon is preceded in death by his parents and siblings. He is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements for Brother Ramon are as follows: On Monday, June 17, a funeral Mass will be held at St. Jude the Apostle Church in Baton Rouge, LA beginning at 10:30 AM. On Tuesday, June 18, a wake will be held at Our Lady of the Gulf Church in Bay St. Louis, MS, beginning at 9:00 AM followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 AM.   Interment will follow the Eucharistic liturgy at the Brothers’ cemetery at Saint Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis, MS.

Memorial donations in honor of Brother Ramon can be made to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Foundation, 4600 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122.

Edmond Fahey Funeral Home in Bay St. Louis, MS is honored to serve the family of Brother Ramon Edward Daunis.