Br. William E. Sessing, S.J. "Rest In Peace"

Br. William E. Sessing, S.J.
2/9/2008
Brother William Edward Sessing, 89, died on February 6, 2008 at Regis Infirmary, Sacred Heart Jesuit Center, Los Gatos. He would have celebrated his 60th anniversary as a Jesuit this coming summer. Bill was born in Rochester, MN on June 21, 1918 to Bill and Alma Sessing. After graduation from high school, he worked four years as a furniture refinisher before joining the Army in 1940. He served in the Air Corps in California until his discharge in 1945 with the rank of Technical Sergeant. Bill remained in California and worked as a postman in Los Angeles.

He got to know the Jesuits at Blessed Sacrament Parish and decided to join the Order as a Brother. He entered the Society of Jesus at Los Gatos, CA in January 1948. There Bill served as a carpenter and general all-around maintenance man until he was assigned to Loyola High in Los Angeles which was to be his home for the next 44 years.

Just as he had done at Los Gatos, Bill busied himself with a variety of carpentry and maintenance jobs, including painting and electrical wiring. From 1970 until 1999 he served as assistant director of buildings and grounds. His many years of hidden service in the maintenance department resulted in the smooth operation of the high school facilities. In addition to maintenance duties, Bill used his skill as an expert clock maker and woodworker to make grandfather clocks and Tiffany lamps for the annual school auctions. Failing health brought him to Sacred Heart Jesuit Center, Los Gatos, in the summer of 2002. "Sess" was an avid golfer, and had the pleasure of mak- ing a hole-in-one some years ago. He loved baseball and had a special affection for black Labrador dogs and other animals.

While in retirement, he tended to his pet pigeon, a crippled bird he named "Pete." One day in the infirmary garden, "Pete" was caught by a swooping red tail hawk, which attempted to fly off with its prize. Bill chased after the hawk and made it drop its prey, then carefully nursed his injured friend back to health.

We will miss his gentleness, warmth, cheerfulness, and sense of humor. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center on Monday, February 11, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. The burial will take place at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery following the Mass. May our brother Bill rest in the eternal peace of God. Bro. Sessing was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Neill of Rochester, MN. He is survived by three nieces: Annie Riley (Roy Otto) of St. Paul, MN, Mary Lou Krueger (Jim) of St. Louis, MO, and Kathleen Riley of St. Paul. Funeral arrangements by Darling & Fischer Chapel of the Hills in Los Gatos.

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