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Br. David L. Sharp, O.S.A. (1935 - 2007)

Br. David L. Sharp, O.S.A. entered eternal life July 14, 2007, following a lengthy illness.

David Lee Sharp was born May 21, 1935 in Detroit, Michigan to John B. and Cora Sharp. He was Baptized December 16, 1950 at St. Anne Catholic Church, Detroit. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation November 18, 1951 at the same church.

David earned his high school diploma from St. Anne High School in 1952. He entered the Augustinian program of formation at St. Joseph Hall of St. Monica Monastery, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, September 22, 1954. He took the religious name Brother Louis, but later returned to David, his Baptismal name. He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 22, 1957. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 23, 1958 and solemn (permanent) vows September 23, 1961.

He was assigned in 1958 to St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields, Illinois, where he worked as a tailor, making Augustinian habits for the friars of the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel. He studied Nursing at Cook County Hospital, Chicago, earing a Certificate in 1964.

After finishing his nursing studies, he volunteered in 1964 to work in the missions of northern Peru. He was part of the medical team. He ran the pharmacy and did home nursing. He also managed the Bishop’s house in Chulucanas, Peru. He transformed the Bishop’s yard from a plain and unattractive space into a place of beauty, filled with flowers and other plants. He was ordained a permanent Deacon May 21, 1972 in Chulucanas.

Brother Sharp returned to the United States in 1973. He resided at Austin Friary, Detroit, Michigan, and worked as a nurse at Bon Secours Hospital, Grosse Pointe, Michigan. He went back to Peru in 1974. In 1976 he came back to the United States. He resided at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields, and served as a nurse at St. Joseph Hospital, Chicago.

In 1977 Brother Sharp relocated to Detroit. He was a nurse at St. John Hospital, Detroit, while residing at St. Augustine Parish there. In 1978 he returned to Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields, and to his work at St. Joseph Hospital, Chicago.

He was assigned in 1979 to St. Mary Parish, Rockford, Illinois, where he ministered as a Deacon to Hispanic members of the parish. In 1980 he was transferred to Cascia Hall Monastery, Tulsa, Oklahoma. There he continued his nursing duties and did additional nursing studies. In 1984 he moved to St. Monica Monastery, Oconomowoc, where he served as nurse.

Brother Sharp was assigned in 1985 to St. Monica College, Rome. He was Guest Master and College Nurse. During his time in Rome, he also served as a Secretary to the Vicar General of Vatican City and assisted with translations of documents.

He returned to the United States in 1989 and served as Director of Nursing at St. Rita Monastery, Chicago. He went back to Peru in 1996, serving at Our Lady of Grace, the Augustinian Center House in Lima.

In 1998 he returned to St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields. He was assigned briefly in 1998 to Saint Augustine Monastery, San Gimignano, Italy. He became seriously ill there. After he recovered, he returned in 1999 to Tolentine Monastery. He was part of the community of retired Augustinians at Our Lady of Grace Community at Marian Village from 2001 to 2004, when the retired friars relocated to Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields.

Because of declining health, Brother Sharp was moved to Holy Family Villa, Lemont, in 2005, where he was receiving care at the time of his death.

Brother Sharp is remembered as a quiet, kind, gentle and compassionate friar. He had a good artistic sense, evidenced by his work in the yards of several monasteries where he lived.

He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be made to Augustinian Guild, Tolentine Center, 20300 Governors Hwy., Olympia Fields, IL 60461-1011.