End of an era with death of Brother Felix

Felix James Donohue first arrived in Penang in 1952, teaching at St Xavier's Institution, and eventually served 13 years as headmaster of La Salle PJ.

PETALING JAYA: Felix James Donohue, the last of the expatriates among the La Sallian brothers responsible for setting up schools in Malaysia since 1852, has died. The La Sallian brothers represent a teaching order under the Roman Catholic church.

Donohue, 86, or Brother Felix as he was known to thousands of students over the years, died at Assunta Hospital yesterday after being hospitalised for two and a half months.

According to The Malay Mail, he had enjoyed good health until 2014, when he suffered a fall which resulted in long stretches of hospitalisation.

Donohue’s long career in Malaysia began in 1952, when he arrived in Penang to teach at St Xavier’s Institution.

After six years, he went back to Ireland to do a bachelor’s degree before returning to Malaysia.

Upon his return, he spent some time teaching at St Paul’s Institution in Seremban. Following this, he was assigned to La Salle Petaling Jaya in 1975 as the headmaster. He served there until his retirement in 1988.

According to the report, his death brings to an end the expatriate contingent of the La Sallian order in Malaysia. -Mkini