Bro Dell and Charly Gunn – El Houssoun September 1967
I was born in El Segundo, California, U.S.A. and went to the Middle East when I was 10.5 years old to Saudi Arabia. I was sent to school in Beirut, Leb. 1955 – 1956 : American Community School, Chouifet, 1956 – 1957; St. Dominic Savio, 1957 – 1958; Victoira College, Maadi U.A.R. 1958 – 1960.
After a year in Saudi Arabia of no school, I returned to Beirut, Lebanon, attending school in Ashrafieh. All the time since St. Dominic Savio in Ras Beirut, I kept in touch with the Salesians. Fr. Biasoli (Bias), Bro. Dell, (now: Fr. Fausto Mauro Del Core) were my history, Bible history and French teachers.
When I became a Salesian they were also my confrere. For the last 2 years we (Bro. Dell, Don Nicola Masedu, sdb, Don Bashir Souccar, sdb, and Don Giovanni Laconi, sdb, have become reacquainted friends. I left Saudi Arabia in August of 1963 for the U.S. and joined the U. S. Navy Reserve 1963 – 1965.
Then I returned to Beirut in late October/ November as a Salesian Aspirant. I was confirmed as a Catholic in Gethsemane (Jerusalem), Jordan in May or June 1966, then entered the Salesian Novitiate of El Houssoun, (Jbeil), Leb.
In January, 1967, I was sent to Andisheh for my three years of training as Salesian. I taught several classes as a coadjutor brother. I used the name Bro. Francis( my confirmation name) with the students. I returned to the U.S. for studies to the priesthood and later decided my vocation wasn’t to be a religious.
I hope this biography isn’t too long. I am still a Salesian at heart and always will be.
Bro. Charles (Francis) W. Gunn, (sdb)
For the last 2 years we (Bro. Dell, Don Nicola Masedu, sdb,Don Bashir Souccar, sdb, and Don Giovanni Laconi, sdb, have become reacquainted friends
Speaking of the school staff, I remember the Prinicipal of Salesian School Mr.Armand Webhe who presided during 1972 and 1975. I remember his daughter, Karla Webhe, who was in my class.Unfortunatelym as the wartime climate in Beirut began to worsen, my family had to return to Bulgaria. My dad stayed throughout 1975, but it became rather too unstable for me to return and continue my education in the 4th grade for school year 1975-1976.
I would like to contact my classmates Sumi Rhee- S.Korea, Christopher -UK, Mahbooba, Shriram, Eric and Paul-USA through this forum who were studying between 1972 and 1975.
I used to study at Salesian School St.Dominic Savio from 1972 until 1975 from the 1st to the third grade. While a student, I had the honour to meet the reverend father Leahy. He was always there around for the many international studentsm some of which had never spoken English – like me. I am from Bulgaria and learning English was a challenging experience. Father Leahy would always come to me and tried to make me feel comfortable, asking me how I was doing, and making me feel that I was not alone.
Despite the communication difficulties in English during my first year of education (I was only 7 then), I began to feel more and more at home in this new language environment and I did not feel a stranger thanks to Father Leahy’s wonderful friendly disposition to foreign students, even those who were not catholic. When he wanted to know my religion,I told him that I was a Christian Orthodox, but nevertheless a Christian, he smiled. I knew at that instant that he was a friend long before I was able to make any friends among the other international students. My deepest condolences for the passing of the reverend Father Leahy. Through him I learnt the values of being a Christian in a non-Christian country.
What an amazing day for me!!! For many, many years, I have thought of Brother Dell, probably my favorite teacher of my life, for many years, and I thought I googled it a few years ago and despaired. And Now I see it!! I am sorry Father Bias died – an amazing memory for me – I still teach history!!!!– but brother dell was incomparable. How can I speak to him? Thank you so much.
Ned Schuller
“Italian School” as we called it I was ther 1960 – 1963. 1st – 4th grade. 4th grade for me is like yesterday for me – I remember it so well, because of those amazing teachers!
Please email me with info – I would be so happy to see Brother Dell or meet anyone who knows him or knew him. Thanks
Hey Steve,
It’s been a long time! I am on FB and would be happy to chat with you anytime! HP 559-276-8104 or cell 559-246-8963. Alway call Home Phone first, unless you are on Verizon.
Greetings, Brother Charles Gunn — Terrific to see your name and bio in here. I was a student at the Salesian Boys School in 1965 to 1966 and hold the school, you and Bro. Dell and Bro. Montgomery as some of the most memorable teachers in my life. The school and the teaching staff of the Brotherhood was exceptional — and even across the decades since being in your school, I have swooped through the Internet to locate you guys and check in. Please signal back if you or any fellow students from that long-ago era happen to click in here, too. Steve Ford – website for e-mail contact form is [or a reply here, either would be very welcomed — and warmest regards to the Salesian network here from across the dramatic years for Beirut since 1966]
Hello Brother Charles: I was hired by brother Dellore to teach second grade at Salesian school in Beirut. I knew Father Leahy and Father Tom. Our VP was Armand Webbe. Do you know where they are now? Also my friends Nancy Miller, and John Sutherland worked with Father Leahy. Prof.Theodary’s family lived right across my house. His son Theo was a friend of mine. God bless you – Kal
Speaking of the school staff, I remember the Prinicipal of Salesian School Mr.Armand Webhe who presided during 1972 and 1975. I remember his daughter, Karla Webhe, who was in my class.Unfortunatelym as the wartime climate in Beirut began to worsen, my family had to return to Bulgaria. My dad stayed throughout 1975, but it became rather too unstable for me to return and continue my education in the 4th grade for school year 1975-1976.
I would like to contact my classmates Sumi Rhee- S.Korea, Christopher -UK, Mahbooba, Shriram, Eric and Paul-USA through this forum who were studying between 1972 and 1975.
I used to study at Salesian School St.Dominic Savio from 1972 until 1975 from the 1st to the third grade. While a student, I had the honour to meet the reverend father Leahy. He was always there around for the many international studentsm some of which had never spoken English – like me. I am from Bulgaria and learning English was a challenging experience. Father Leahy would always come to me and tried to make me feel comfortable, asking me how I was doing, and making me feel that I was not alone.
Despite the communication difficulties in English during my first year of education (I was only 7 then), I began to feel more and more at home in this new language environment and I did not feel a stranger thanks to Father Leahy’s wonderful friendly disposition to foreign students, even those who were not catholic. When he wanted to know my religion,I told him that I was a Christian Orthodox, but nevertheless a Christian, he smiled. I knew at that instant that he was a friend long before I was able to make any friends among the other international students. My deepest condolences for the passing of the reverend Father Leahy. Through him I learnt the values of being a Christian in a non-Christian country.
Has anyone heard from Bro. Dell, now: Fr. Fausto Mauro Del Core?
Sorry i left a ‘0’ out of my address
Hello
What an amazing day for me!!! For many, many years, I have thought of Brother Dell, probably my favorite teacher of my life, for many years, and I thought I googled it a few years ago and despaired. And Now I see it!! I am sorry Father Bias died – an amazing memory for me – I still teach history!!!!– but brother dell was incomparable. How can I speak to him? Thank you so much.
Ned Schuller
“Italian School” as we called it I was ther 1960 – 1963. 1st – 4th grade. 4th grade for me is like yesterday for me – I remember it so well, because of those amazing teachers!
Please email me with info – I would be so happy to see Brother Dell or meet anyone who knows him or knew him. Thanks
Hey Steve,
It’s been a long time! I am on FB and would be happy to chat with you anytime! HP 559-276-8104 or cell 559-246-8963. Alway call Home Phone first, unless you are on Verizon.
Greetings, Brother Charles Gunn — Terrific to see your name and bio in here. I was a student at the Salesian Boys School in 1965 to 1966 and hold the school, you and Bro. Dell and Bro. Montgomery as some of the most memorable teachers in my life. The school and the teaching staff of the Brotherhood was exceptional — and even across the decades since being in your school, I have swooped through the Internet to locate you guys and check in. Please signal back if you or any fellow students from that long-ago era happen to click in here, too. Steve Ford – website for e-mail contact form is [or a reply here, either would be very welcomed — and warmest regards to the Salesian network here from across the dramatic years for Beirut since 1966]
Hello Brother Charles: I was hired by brother Dellore to teach second grade at Salesian school in Beirut. I knew Father Leahy and Father Tom. Our VP was Armand Webbe. Do you know where they are now? Also my friends Nancy Miller, and John Sutherland worked with Father Leahy. Prof.Theodary’s family lived right across my house. His son Theo was a friend of mine. God bless you – Kal
Patrick, I am sorry I haven’t gotten back to you till now. Fr. Bias died several years ago.
Whatever became of Father Bias? I learned more from his history classes then any other school I subsequently attended.