When I was a second year Nursing Science student at Queen's in 1980, and didn't know how I was going to manage to pay for my education as a mature student, a classmate suggested I go see the Padre. I didn't know him at all, nor he me, but he listened earnestly to my story, and when I was done, he pulled out his personal chequebook, and wrote me a cheque for $300. " This is a gift", he said as he gave it to me, "I don't want it back". He then picked up the phone and called the bursar's office, and made an appointment for me to meet with someone there. They set me up with a work bursary, which helped to pay for my education at Queen's: I worked for Big Sisters of Kingston every weekend for the next 2 years -and this added both meaning and subsistence to my time in Kingston.
I have never forgotten the Padre's kindness to me, a complete stranger, and every year when the Queen's appeal comes knocking I try to repay that kindness in the Padre's memory. He certainly was a man who knew how to "pay it forward".

Caroline(Rushforth) Pearson
Nursing Science '83

I believe that my father - in- law Dr. M.N. Omond held a similar position at the time of the first world war at Queen's. He was subsequently a chaplain overseas and then served in the army of occupation.
He was mentioned in dispatches in a document personally signed by Winston Churchill.
There may have been a discontinuity between his service and that of Padre Laverty and his service may have been forgotten because of that discontinuity.
His daughter Sheila and grand daughter Kristy and grandson Dr. Ross McKitrick also attended Queens.
I didn't and therefore am the black sheep of the family.
Ron McKitrick

Padre Laverty was an institution through all my years at Queens. Always there to support you as individuals and as a group. He embodied the commitment and comradeship that for me symbolized a Queen's University education. My last and lasting memory of the Padre was at the Commerce 81 graduation dinner. I still have the photo of Padre Laverty along with a few of my Commie friend (who I am still very close with) in our tuxedos puffing on cigars!
Thank you Padre for who you were.....

David Veres ArtSci 82

Padre Laverty was the face of Queen's for decades and the personification of the values of our University. A list of those whom he touched with his wonderful spirit in his kind assistance,help and counselling would be legion.
I was introduced to his warm, spontaneous and welcoming nature, one early fall Sunday as a freshman in Meds' 63 walking up Albert Street from McNeill House towards Union Street. He was standing outside his home and greeted me with "Welcome to Queen's...are you hungry?" We had never met. Before I realized what was happening, I was an ad hoc guest at he and his gracious wife's Sunday Invitational. What a glorious experience...the company, the conversations, the great food, but mostly the genuine feeling of belonging.
No matter how many times I saw him on campus over the next six years, he always greeted me by name and never failed to enquire about my family,especially of my dad, John Howard Willard Arts' 35 who he knew somehow from the past and who had become Principal of my hometown High School in Winchester.His unbelievable memory for detail was nothing short of astounding and it was this gift that provided the inspirational personal touch which made me, and thousands of others over the years, feel special. He treated one as family.
I do hope that someone close to this great man writes his biography. "The Life and Times of Padre Laverty" It would be cherished by generations of Queensmen who knew him and would be a rich legacy to those who will "come down to Queen's" in the future.
I will always remember his greatest contribution to life....he cared!
And to his family, thank you for sharing him with us.

Garry L. Willard MD FRCSC FRCSEdin FACS FICS

My last year at Queen's spring '82, I was a little disoriented. I was having a hard time figuring out what I would do after my my BA honours. Quite distraught and also heartbroken from the end of an affair Padre Laverty took the time to listen. He was very open minded and heartwarming. It meant a great deal to me. After my degree in psychology I finally became an actress. And have been doing well as a working actress and producer in Paris, France. Thank you Padre you will be missed.

Véronique Baylaucq
ArtSci '82

I remember meeting Padre Laverty during my first frosh week at Queen's. I remember him as a very warm individual who made you feel welcome no matter what your status or station in life. He always had a heart for the International Students and he made every attempt to integrate these students into the Queens Student Body. When I was at Queens I was a member of the Queens Chapter of InterVarsity Christian. Padre Laverty always was available to support us in our various outreaches to the student body. I enjoyed his church services by the waterfront which were open to all students. I appreciated his support for the engineers annual Milk and Cookies Dance since it was a fun time non-alcohol event. Where ever I have travelled through out Canada and the USA I have always shared about my Queens experiences. Padre Laverty presence on campus was always a topic of those conversations. Queen's University has truly lost an Icon and Heaven has gained a saint. " Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God"

Gerald R. Blair M. Sc. P. Eng.
Applied Science 79

Padre Laverty kept a close eye on some of us from the start. He chatted with me about my mother on one occassion and I was interested in how much he knew about me and my family. One day he approached me and asked me how things were going and he said that he could arrange for some assistance for me regarding one math course I was having trouble with if I wished help. I decided to take him up on this offer and this help was enough to allow me to gain a passing grade in that course. I was grateful for his interest and his help and I have always carried a warm feeling about him. I only attended one of his Sunday services over the 4 years I was at Queen's. I am now an atheist and I believe that his help allowed me to move on and eventually sort out my true view of life and spiritual matters.

Dr. Theron Craig, BA/BPHE (Queen's), MA (SJSU) Ed. D. (U. of Toronto)

Although never invited to one of the Padre's evening soirees, he was an important influence in both my and my husband's life on campus in the 1950's because the Padre always greeted both of us by name, and knew exactly our backgrounds. At one point, the morning after a Science Formal, my "boyfriend's" Aunt, down from Renfrew for the reunion/football game wanted to meet with her nephew, but couldn't find him. Diligently, she called the Padre, and, surprisingly, he called my apartment to locate him. Well, the Formal had been late, and my now-husband's room was after-formal occupied, so he had bunked in on my livingroom sofa. Can you imagine the look of his formal "tails" streaming out behind as he peddled my bicycle to his room to try to find a change of clothes in order to meet with his relatives! I'm sure th Padre understood, as he subsequently agreed to travel with his lovely wife, Frances, all the way to Ottawa to marry us. So we consider ourselves one of his "successes" as we approach our 50th wedding anniversary. Subsequently, I'm sure he had a part in recommending our daughter for acceptance into Queens from British Columbia, in the 1980's...a wonderful experience for her. We loved his sparkling eyes, his interest in all the students, and his down-to-earth philosophy. He will be remembered fondly.
Isobel (Hanna) Gibson PHE '60
ps. I have photos, if anyone wants them.

Much of Padre Laverty's charm was his immediate ability to grasp the moment, whether it was in fun or sadness, you always knew he was on your wave length. I remember bumping into him when biking through campus when I had started investigating overseas teaching with CUSO which he found at that point, not to be advisable. After chatting with him, I received the next day an interview request (very much organized by him) by phone from the education faculty to discuss doing my education degree there where I was so impressed that I followed through, and completed 33 years of teaching in Ontario. This memory of his involvement spontaneously in my life, plus the warmth of his Sunday night "At Home" gatherings makes me very glad to have known such a fine man.

Within the last few years, I also had the good fortune to be sitting across the aisle from his son-in-law, General John de Chastelain, on a Air Canada flight into Heathrow where he graciously heaved my very heavy carry-on into the overhead bin. We chatted about his contributions to the peace settlement in Northern Ireland from where my grandparents had emigrated to Canada to escape religious conflict. That two such separate occurrences would be woven through the web of my life by two individuals met separately, but from the same family, I find remarkable.

Mary Ann de Chastelain, the Padre's older daughter, certainly had the good fortune to surround herself with generous men who indeed bettered the world in which they lived.

Colleen Greer Fraser, Arts / Education '72 (So long ago!)

In the spring of 1959, as a newly-graduated mining engineer I took the overnight train from Kingston to Sudbury to begin my new job at INCO. Arriving at 7:30 in the morning and standing on the station platform gaining my thoughts, Padre Laverty walked up and asked if I had a ride into town. He had been on the same train, and despite never having met during my years at Queen's, he recognized me. Such a great way to be introduced to a new chapter in life. (On the way to town he stopped at the local hospital to make an 8 a.m. visit with a patient.) Padre will surely rest in peace.

Robert Fowler
Sc '59

The Padre was very sweet to my brother and me. Our parents were posted abroad just as I entered Queen's and we were younger than other students. He took a special interest in our well being. In my last year, I had a problem with an overly friendly professor. The only person I could turn to was the Padre, who with his magical touch helped relieve the stress this was causing me.
He was unforgettable and a huge asset to Queen's over the years.

Paula Pick, Arts '70

I remember as a student, Padre Laverty visiting Malvern Collegiate in Toronto Ontario. Our Principal, J.Leslie Kerr was a Queen's Graduate invited Padre Laverty to speak to our student body once every year. I remember the terrific stories that
Padre used to tell us about Queen's Graduates that he personally knew! It was inspiring ! Later I met some of those Graduates, the likes of Jimmy Hughes , Ronnie Stewart and Jay McMahon. Upon Graduation from Malvern in 1961, I was accepted into the Queen's Family as much as I was being a part of the Malvern Family.
I can remember the first week at Queen's being a freshman and trying to find myself , THE PADRE , invited me into his office and took the Time to mapped out a plan for me to follow! I never forgot the PLAN! and He never forgot ME!
I am sure that everyone who ever met him were astounded with his Recollection and out standing MEMORY.
But more than anything else, Padre was a very Warm , Caring and Loving Man! He exuded what Queen's University is all about!
He was a very large part of the Student Body and made every student with whom he made contact, feel at Home!
For many of us, Queen's University still is HOME!
Ken { Nate} Naples

As has been mentioned by many, Padre Laverty was astonishing in his ability not only to remember names, but also connections. When I first met him in 1975, he immediately mentioned my sister, who was also at Queen's at the time, and also remembered my father, who, for one brief summer in the 1950's, had been a summer student! He also recalled that my dad started a school in the west!! I was completely flabbergasted. He was so personable and genuine to all he met, and he truly cared for us all. I will never forget him. Janice Heard PHE 80

Padre was a huge presence and influence in both of our lives when we met him and were married by him after our 3rd year at Queen's. A few years later he also baptized our oldest son, Ryan.
We always enjoyed our visits and dinners with him. His humour and wisdom will always remain in our hearts. He was the face, heart and soul of of Queen's.
Go Bless Padre....We'll miss you.
Beth & George Benson '76

During the 1979 Frosh Week dance Padre Laverty watched as my fellow Frecs and I sold Lilac flowers (I won’t mention the state we were in) to the Frosh going into the dance. We proudly presented the profits as a donation to the Padre, he seemed bemused at our … marketing strategy. He always represented what I thought was the best of Queen’s: he gave a hand up to those in need. I can’t imagine the Campus without him. Ted Doleman Sc.’82

I recall as a student sometime between 1974 and 1978 sitting in front of Dunning Hall, looking I suppose particularly unhappy, or overwhelmed. Padre Laverty walked by me and seeing me looking not terribly boyant stopped to say hello and wish me well. He did not know me. But that one moment of kindness touched me and stayed with me forever. I am saddened that he has now passed.

Tim Runge
Commerce '78

As a new Artsci frosh wandering on campus in 1982, it was wonderful to meet the Padre and have him know and fondly remember Frank "Pep" Leadlay. I was the only Leadlay of my generation to attend Queen's, following in Pep's lively footsteps and talking about him and what he meant to Queen's football and later buildings on campus (1950s) helped to cement my love of Queen's and Kingston. The Padre was a very special spirit and will be fondly remembered, and I'm grateful for the time and care he so willingly gave to make me feel welcome and at home at Queen's all those years ago.
Margaret (Leadlay) Waldner, Artsci '85, Con-Ed '86

I arrived in Kingston in 1968, just married, as a new graduate student. Fresh from New Zealand, Worldly unwise, finding my way in Canada. The welcoming events for new students were friendly, enabling us to get established. Padre Laverty and his wife graciously invited small groups of students to their home, and we remember them for their generosity, warmth and humanity, and the huge part they played in making Queen's the great university that it is.

With sincere sympathy to the Laverty family.

John and Donna Allen, Auckland, New Zealand

As a first year student I could hardly wait for the famous Sunday invitation...then when the day arrived I was terrified that I would forget something!!! The Padre's memory for names and faces was phenomenal to say the least.Many years after I graduated and completely in a place out of Queen's context he greeted me as he had when I was a student..with warmth and sincerity.He was in many ways to me the real Queen's...a place where folks cared for and about each other.He will long be lovingly remembered and verly much missed.
Lynne Kerr

I am deeply thankful that Queen's was still small enough that the Padre (and his generous wife -- Mrs. Laverty to me back then) still tried to host most frosh in their home on Alberta Street in small gatherings for good conversation. Thus began a ten year face-to-face relationship and life-long friendship. The occasions were many -- University Services in Grant Hall, Holy Communion in the Chapel, long talks in his office in the Gym, meetings with small groups of us in the SCM to help plan programs and events, chance meetings on the campus. A more open-hearted man I have yet to meet. He touched my mind, heart and spirit.
Ruben (Butch) Nelson, Arts '61 and Theology '64.

My husband and I were one of the couples that Padre married. In the University chapel in 1963. He was a wonderful, caring and very human chaplain and I remember him with great affection.