In Memoriam_Fr. Denis Coelho SJ

A deep pall of gloom descended on St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School on hearing the sad news of the passing of our beloved former Principal Rev. Fr. Denis Coelho, SJ.

Fr. Denis Coelho was Principal of our school from 1984 -1993. He celebrated his 90th birthday on 29th January, 2016 and passed away after a brief illness on 11th February, 2016.

Fr. Coelho was much loved by teachers, parents and students alike. Blessed with many great gifts of head and heart, he used his strengths to build a strong foundation both for the students and the teachers under his charge. Staff and students fondly remember his Friday Instruction classes, his walking down the corridor with his keys jingling in his pockets and his face slowly turning a deep shade of pink when matters turned serious!

Fr. Coelho was an excellent speaker. He used his skills to motivate teachers, inspire students and guide parents. He had a great sense of fun and staff members were fortunate to see this side of him during staff picnics. He was a father figure to hundreds, perhaps thousands of students and staff members, who gratefully remember his many acts of kindness and generosity.

For more than twenty years after he left school, several Old Boys and teachers kept in touch with him. His gentle smile, tall figure and the deeply spiritual aura that always surrounded him will always remain fresh in the minds and hearts of all those who were fortunate to have known him.
May his soul rest in peace.