Date of death: 8/10/2013

Saint Meinrad Class: SB 1997

Brother Guy Joseph Eckels, C.S.C., age 68, died on August 10, 2013 at Gilmour Academy, in Gates Mills, Ohio. He was born in Gary, Indiana, the son of Guy and Genevieve (Sovich) Eckels. He attended St. Mary of the Lake Elementary School in Gary and then proceeded on to Andrean High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated in June of 1963. He was accepted into the juniorate program of the Brothers of Holy Cross at Watertown, Wisconsin on November 2, 1963. In January, 1964 he began his religious training at St. Joseph’s Novitiate in Rolling Prairie, Indiana and pronounced his first vows as a Holy Cross Brother on January 26, 1965. Brother Guy began his college studies at the University of Notre Dame graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree, in 1969. In the fall of 1968 he was assigned to teach at Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron, Ohio, where he would spend the next 29 years. He stayed current with biology research findings and teaching methods. He spent summers studying at Saint Mary’s College in Winona, Minnesota where he earned a Master of Science degree in biology in 1975. While at Saint Mary’s, he learned new computer technological methods and was among the earliest teachers to utilize them in the classroom. Outside the classroom Guy was interested in theater. He produced dozens of student performances, specializing in the construction of elaborate sets and was adept in the use of sound and lighting for shows. In 1997, he took a sabbatical and enjoyed a spiritual renewal while at Saint Meinrad Seminary in southern Indiana. In the fall of 1998 he joined the faculty at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio for the next 9 years. He resumed his science teaching and also worked on drama productions at the school. In the fall of 2007, he spent a sabbatical in a renewal program at Sangre de Cristo in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 2008 he joined the residents at Columba Hall at Notre Dame and served as a substitute teacher at St. Joseph High School in South Bend, Indiana. Brother Guy continued his love of theatrical shows and was able to attend artistic productions in the vicinity. In the fall of 2011, Brother Guy joined the staff at Gilmour Academy at Gates Mills, Ohio where he assisted students in the library, the computer center, and served as a Student Life Resource Assistant. Brother Guy experienced heart problems and was being medically evaluated when unfortunately he passed away in his room at the Academy. His humor and enthusiasm will be missed. There are two memorial services to honor Brother Guy. On August 14th, there will be a viewing at 6:30 pm in the Chapel of Our Lady at Gilmour Academy, Gates Mills, Ohio. On August 17th, there will a viewing at St. Joseph Chapel (at Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame) at 10:30 am, with the Mass of Resurrection at 11:30 am, Father John Blazek, C.S.C., officiating, followed by interment in St. Joseph’s Cemetery of the Village. Kaniewski Funeral Home of South Bend is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions, in honor of Brother Guy Eckels, C.S.C., to support the mission and ministries of the Brothers may be sent to: Brothers of Holy Cross, Office of Development, P.O. Box 460, Notre Dame, IN 46556.Published in South Bend Tribune on August 16, 2013.