He left behind a legacy that will be remembered by Josephians
My mind is full of thoughts and ideas as I write this appreciation about my elder brother Fr. Stanley Abeysekera. five years after his departure from this world.
It is so strange how we gradually forget the memories of remarkable people after they leave this world. If we consider my brother’s life, it was very eventful, fruitful and successful in both his tutorial and spiritual missions.
I now begin to realize as to why my brother announced his wish to become a priest as early as 14 years knowing quite well that he was the eldest son in a family of seven children. It is said that God should be given the best fruit from the family. Accordingly, my parents agreed. I being the second son was more or less forced to take over the responsibility of steering the family.
He was Rector at St. John Bosco’s College, Kaluaggala, Hanwella, St. Thomas College, Kotte, St. Joseph’s College, Colombo (for 13 prosperous years), and finally at St. Joseph’s College, Enderamulla in the formation of the new Branch school.
He was parish priest at St. Thomas Church, Kotte, Spiritual Director at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, did parish work at Luciana, USA, and was parish priest at St. Joseph’s Church, Nugegoda and St. Anthony’s Church, Kollupitiya for seven years.
In an appreciation after his death it was written ‘…. The charity he extended to those in need went unknown to others. His compassion and help were targeted to deserving and helpless individuals among his relations, friends and particularly minor employees around him…..’
He was an excellent mentor in Mathematics, which his past students always talk about. He was also a strict disciplinarian. What really mattered to him was the all round education of the child more than results of the public exams. Extracurricular activities including sports were treated on par with studies.
An old Joe, Suranjith De Silva who was closely associated with him wrote: ‘….. Little did we realize that this was the man who would go on to be one of the greatest builders of both buildings and men -- that St. Joseph’s College had ever produced….’
“For Fr. Stanley St.Joseph’s College was his home on earth. What Fr. Stanley did and what he was to St. Joseph’s College has already been written in the College’s history in letters of gold….’
A past Josephian Assistant Head Prefect, Avishka Mario Senewiratne wrote about his brainchild the fabulous Sports Complex as follows. ‘…..The great idea of building a
Sports Complex was conceived when Fr. Rector visited his brother Dr. John Damascene Abeysekera at the University of Luleå in Sweden.The main foundation stone of the complex was laid by His Grace the Archbishop Nicholas Marcus Fernando in March 1993. Fundraising for the multi-million rupee Sports Complex was not an easy task. Fr. Abeysekera himself compiled about 2500 letters for old boys overseas. The donations received were extremely high…’.
‘….. The Sports Complex was ceremoniously opened on the Centenary celebrations in 1996 under the presence of Archbishop Nicholas Marcus Fernando, Bishops, Priests and thousands of past and present students.’
Realising the tremendous values and advantages of this fabulous construction which brings in rich dividends to the College Fr. Sylvester during the period of his Rectorship, named it the “Stanley
Abeysekera Sports Complex.”
This great venture is the legacy left by Fr. Stanley Abeysekera which will remain in the minds of all Josephians, priests, friends and educationists for many more years to come.
Fr. Stanley’s final assignment was to prepare a book covering the history of St. Joseph’s College which he completed with the able assistance of a young past Josephian.
A catastrophic problem that affected this great priest was a vision impediment from a very rare eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa which can end up in total blindness. Persistent prayers and his great faith prevented the symptoms appearing early in life.
He bid farewell to this world at the ripe age of 80 years. God loves you Father Stanley and so do we! May you rest in peace!