Shrewsbury – David P. Creedon, 87, died in the peace and comfort of his family home Wednesday, July 8, 2015 with his dear sister, Elizabeth, and other family and friends by his side. David’s passing was dignified and old-fashioned in the same way that he lived his life.
David was born on the 4th of July, 1928 in Worcester, to James Creedon and Grace (Wyman) Creedon. One of six children, he was predeceased by his brothers James Creedon Jr. and Chandler Creedon and his sisters Grace (Creedon) O’Neil and Martha (Creedon) Riley.
He is survived by his beloved sister and best friend, Elizabeth Creedon, along with several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and greatgrand-nephews.
David grew up in Shrewsbury and graduated from St. John’s High School on Temple Street in Worcester. Just after his 18th birthday, he enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps and served overseas until he was honorably discharged in February 1948. On David’s return stateside, he matriculated at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. and he also entered the Xaverian Brothers Religious Community in September 1948, having found his calling in educational ministry.
He professed his first vows with the Xaverian Brothers Religious Community in March 1951, accepting his religious name, Brother Dennis. After graduating from Catholic University, he went on to teach French language and literature at Leonard Hall Academy in Leonardtown, Md.; Keith Academy in Lowell; Malden Catholic High School in Malden; and Xavier High School in Middletown, Conn. After teaching at Xavier High, David took a leave of absence from the brotherhood before returning in 1980 to his beloved alma mater, St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury, as a layman hired by Brother J. Conal Owens.
David went on to lead and direct the Guidance Department at St. John’s for nearly 20 years until his retirement in 1997. Together with his outstanding Guidance Department team, including Maryanne Kenary, Brother John Doyle, and Paul Phillips, among others, David took immense pride in advocating for all students with whom he worked regardless of a student’s academic ability. In his years leading the St. John’s Guidance Department, he profoundly touched and impacted countless lives by working hard to discover the appropriate and fitting next step – be it matriculating in college, enlisting in the military, or entering the workforce – for thousands of graduates of St. John’s High School.
Outside of his professional career, David loved working in his gardens and performing maintenance projects around his and his sister, Elizabeth’s home. Whenever he gardened, painted his home, mowed the lawn, shoveled the snow, or generally repaired things around the house, he performed every simple task with immense attention to detail. The manner in which he cared for his home and yard demonstrated his love and respect for the history of the home where his parents and siblings lived while growing up. To David, maintaining the family home was a way to honor his parents, brothers, and sisters whom he loved so dearly.
David, along with his sister Elizabeth, found tremendous joy in procuring and displaying antiques, and generally in the arts, including music, theater, books and literature, art, and history. He was a longtime member of the Shrewsbury Historical Society. He enjoyed attending Mass with Elizabeth at St. Mary’s in Shrewsbury, but also traveling to other churches for Mass and novenas, including St. John’s Church in Worcester.
Family and friends honored and remembered David’s life July 14 by gathering for a calling hour at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors – The Sumner House in Shrewsbury, followed by a funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Church of Shrewsbury. Burial with military honors followed at St. John’s Cemetery in Worcester.
Gifts may be directed in David Creedon’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472.
