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Niagara University schedules memorial Mass for Brother Augustine Towey

by jmaloni

Press release

Mon, Dec 3rd 2012 12:10 pm

During a Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Niagara University community will celebrate the life of Brother Augustine Towey, C.M. The Mass will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, at 10 a.m. in the Alumni Chapel on the Niagara University campus. A small reception will follow in the Glynn Family Atrium in Bisgrove Hall.

Brother Augustine passed away Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, after a lengthy illness. He was 75.

Brother Augustine had a long and distinguished history with Niagara University, and his impact on Monteagle Ridge will be remembered forever. He is credited with developing Niagara University Theatre into a nationally recognized program, and he was instrumental in the building of the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre and the renovation of the Leary Theatre.

Brother Augustine came to NU in September of 1964 and taught classes in English literature and speech. He then became involved with the Niagara University Players and, from a few early theater courses, the current theater program came into existence. In his time at Niagara, Brother Augustine directed more than 135 plays and nurtured countless actors in the process. He also established the bachelor of fine arts degree at NU, which received New York state certification in 1988.

Brother Augustine is an accomplished poet and has published seven volumes and recorded two CDs of poetry while at NU. This past July, Brother Augustine published a new collection of poetry, titled "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph: Pieces for the Holy Family." This short collection contains his reflections on the Holy Family, written in his customary warm and human style.

Brother was well-known in the local theater community as well. He directed at local professional venues including Opera Sacra, Irish Classical Theatre Company and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. He served as associate artistic director for theater programs and as the director and founder of Artpark Repertory Theatre from its inception in 1975 until 2003. He served as a member of the board of directors of the Niagara Council of the Arts. Brother Augustine also wrote 12 plays for the stage and television, including "The Guardian" for the NBC-TV network.

In 1994, Artpark and Company honored Brother Augustine for his contributions to the arts in Western New York by naming a chair after him. In 1989 he was awarded an honorary doctor of fine arts degree from St. John's University, where he served as a member of its board of trustees for 13 years, and the Medal of Honor by Niagara University. He is also the recipient of the Career Achievement Award from Artvoice, a Brotherhood-Sisterhood Award from the Western New York Region of the National Conference for Community and Justice for his work in the arts, and the Outstanding Artist Award from the Arts Councils in Buffalo and Erie County.

Brother Augustine is originally from Hempstead. At the time of his death, he was living at St. Vincent's Seminary, the Provincial Headquarters of the Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission, in Philadelphia.

He is survived by his beloved sisters, Anne Towey and Brenda Romanski; his nephew, Scott Romanski; his niece, Helen Tostaine and her husband, Gregory; and his sister-in-law, Helen Towey. He is predeceased by his brother, Douglas.

Memorial donations may be made to the Brother Augustine Towey Theatre Scholarship Fund, c/o Niagara University, Office of Institutional Advancement, Lewiston Road, Niagara University, N.Y. 14109.

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