Brother Dominic Rosso, FSC

Leonard Griscti writes:

On November 10, the Lasallian family lost a great family member, Bro. Dominic Rosso, FSC.

My first memories of Bro. Dominic date back to when I was still 10. Over the years he did not change much. Always on the go, buzzing with energy, promoting and encouraging new initiatives within the schools conducted by the Brothers of the Christian schools – and wherever his wise advice was sought.

He had a way of making you feel welcome and always took the time to listen to what you had to tell him. He knew how to correct and educate students without humiliating, belittling or patronising.

Those of us who worked with him closely frequently complained that we found it difficult to keep up with his enthusiasm and energy – despite the fact that he was well ahead of us in age. He was always very well-informed about new developments in any field one might care to name, be it pedagogy, literature, world politics, history or science.

Bro. Dominic got things done without procrastination. His strong sense of leadership kept abreast with modern developments. In this he did change. He managed successfully to adapt his leadership style to reflect modern management tenets, wisely discerning between what is still valid today and what no longer works. He could read the signs of the times and respond to them.

Bro. Dominic believed that every single person in the Lasallian family has an important role and his behaviour consistently reflected this.

In one way or other, he always made sure that everyone felt appreciated – nobody excluded. Through various gestures he expressed his gratitude and made sure it was clearly conveyed.

When he was last appointed headmaster at De La Salle College, well into his 80s, there were moments when we felt “sorry” for him – having to shoulder the responsibility of running such a large and complex institution at that venerable age. Yet he rose to the occasion with tremendous zeal, bringing about significant transformations at the college – many of which we are still enjoying to this date.