Les Krames

August 6, 2003, a contingent of 14 members of the Moraga Historical Society paid their final respects to Brother Dennis Goodman (Lewis Francis Goodman) at Mont La Salle, Napa, California.

It was a beautiful day, mild, warm and with a slight breeze. It was the kind of a day you hope for when gathering to remember the life you have come to celebrate. The viewing was scheduled for 9 a.m. and services in the Chapel began at 10 a. m. Once the service was completed the gathering serpentined its way up the trail on the hill behind the Chapel passing the gardens and the stables on the way. Those of us who could not walk rode up to the burial site. The casket of Brother Dennis was lowered into the grave and after a brief ceremony everyone either walked or retreated by automobile to the dining room. A very nice luncheon was provided by the Christian Brothers order for the family and friends.

My first encounter with Brother Dennis was either in 1977 or 1978 when we began to confer on the Society's book, Moraga's Pride, written by Sandy Kimball. My neighbor, Elaine Lind, invited me to be present at a meeting about executing the art work for the book. It was working with Brother Dennis during this period that I realized what a depository of information on the Moraga Valley he held. He might have been renowned for keeping his research on hundreds of little index cards but he also photographed it onto his memory cells. He was fantastic. Once I absorbed the direction the book committee wanted to pursue, I began my work. In time the chapter title art and maps were completed.

It was a glorious day in 1987, when we celebrated the finished book with President Tapan Munroe beaming with Moraga's Pride in hand.

Three years later in 1990 1 received a call from Elsie Mastick asking me to become a Board Member for three years which lasted six. It was an interesting experience for Brother Dennis sat in on all our monthly meetings. At this time they were held on the Saint Mary's campus. Again I got to observe the working mind of Brother Dennis.

Over these years and after Brother Dennis retired to Mont La Salle Napa, California we kept in touch by correspondence, cards and later transmission of e­ mails. I appreciated his words of encouragement and praise.

It doesn't take me to convey to the Society that we have lost our compass and soul. He will not be replaced. His leadership, inspiration and work ethic is his legacy and that will never be forgotten and something for all of us to adhere too.

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