Adieu Dear Brother Neeliyara Joseph, our very own “Zatti”

Br. Neeliyara Joseph, a Salesian of Don Bosco, belonging to the Province of Sacred Heart Bangalore, has gone for his heavenly reward on 17th April 2023. His demise has caused a great sorrow in the province as the province lost its “Zatti”. His serene and simple life moved many Salesians to live in the true charism of Don Bosco. Holiness permeated through his grace-filled 91 years. He walked hand in hand with the lord ever since a child. He encouraged, inspired, prompted many to relish in the accompaniment of God. Indeed, His life set forth a legacy of holiness in the Salesian brotherhood. 

Br. Neeliyara Joseph, popularly known as Br. N. C. He hailed from Palai, Vellakumadam. Born on 15th October 1932, eldest of Cherian and Marikutty. Following the promptings of spirit, he left his family in 1947 to Tirupattur. His seminary life at Tirupattur was solely led by the hands of God. Clinging on to the providential hands of the Almighty, he emptied himself to God by embracing the Salesian brotherhood. He made his first commitment on 24th May 1954 at ‘The Retreat’ Centre Yercaud. As a Salesian brother, he kept his infant steps at Don Bosco Tech Campus Basin Bridge as an incharge and craft master. At different intervals he had been at Basin Bridge, and served in the Tech Campus for 12 long  years. In 1960, he made the final commitment and perpetually surrendered himself to the will of God as a Salesian Brother. 

Aligning with the lifestyle of his patron St. Joseph, he had developed interest in carpentry. About 25 years he served in different Don Bosco institutions across Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as a craft master and a trainer. He also showed his excellence in administration at Don Bosco Aluva and Don Bosco Provincial House Bangalore. Realising the missionary dimension of his vocation, he moved to Tanzania (1982) and served at Dodomo for 3 years. Zealously, he continued to live in the missionary spirit at various communities of the Bangalore province. For a decade he graced Don Bosco Tech of KGF with his admirable simplicity. Aging in grace, he became part of Mamma Margaret Home in 2017. After 91 years of life, which was ever since led by God, found its reward in heaven on 17th April, 2023. 

Brother N. C was a man of prayer. He is praying for us, and we ought to remember and pray for him. He stirred many with his profound memory as he listed all his family members, teachers and confreres in his prayers with their names. He never complained concerning any comforts or expressed excessive demands. Yes, truly he was a man of God. His timely wit was really commendable. His adherence to the evangelical vows made him a divine person for all the confreres to look up to. Simplicity was his hallmark. It was very much visible in his mode of dressing and approaches. He wore a shirt with 6 pockets, wore a dhothi and always carried a staff, resembling St. Joseph’s staff. Such was his observance on austerity. His life is really an incentive for each one of us to live a life worthy of spreading the fragrance of Christ in the Don Bosco way. We thank Our Lord and Mary Help of Christians for having given us such a loving brother and intercessor like Br. Neeliyara Joseph. We miss him dearly and ask dear God to send us a thousand more like him with constant joy and ever-present smile. Let Brother N. C, continue to inspire us to help others in the spirit of Saint John Bosco.