The Academy Celebrates the Life of Teacher, Coach and Mentor,

J. Joseph “Joe” Brune

Dear St. Ignatius Loyola Academy Community,

It is with great sadness that the Academy announces the passing of legendary teacher, coach and mentor, J. Joseph “Joe” Brune. 

Joe Brune certainly impacted many lives of young men over his years as a coach and educator beginning in 1959 at City College where he taught English and coached both lacrosse and football. From there, Joe spent another 35 years at Loyola Blakefield where he continued to teach and coach. In 2002, he retired and by the following fall, he joined the faculty at the Academy teaching English and public speaking as well as coaching lacrosse for another ten years. After a short time away, he once again joined the Academy’s faculty, preparing soon-to-be graduates for the rigors of high school English which he continued to do until June 2016.

In 2013, Joe was asked what motivates him to walk into the classroom every day after fifty-four years of teaching, he explained “it’s the interaction with the boys.  I learn something new from them every day.”  With characteristic humility, Joe concluded “in fact I probably learn more from them than they do from me.”  Joe was a remarkable educator and true role model of a man for others for our students.

When Coach Brune retired officially, graduates wrote notes that were shared at a celebration. Shawn Turner ‘08 “respectfully submitted with thought and care” the following, “As a role model, I thank you because you enforce the notion that teachers are to be examples, examples of punctuality, intellect, and public speaking. As a man, for and with others, I thank you. To teach a public speaking class to shy middle schools…and SUCCEED - that is a man for others. To challenge middle schoolers to read Shakespeare - that is a man for others. To dedicate so much time to the academy - that is a man for others.”

Additionally, David Parker ‘06, Loyola Blakefield ‘10 wrote, “From his class, I learned humility and what a gerund was. My lesson in humility came from Mr. Brune's intolerance of mediocrity. He knew that I was capable of more and was unsatisfied with anything less. His constant reminders of his class being between me and graduation humbled me more than anything to date. Thank you Mr. Brune!”

Alumnus and current Academy Board Member Kyle Taylor '97, Loyola Blakefield '01wrote “Coach Brune saw the potential I had to be great at what I was doing; he knew I had it in me to be better than I was at that time, even when I didn't necessarily see it within myself at the time. Coach Brune having confidence in me as a raw, unpolished, player has without a doubt played a role in me becoming the confident man I am today in every endeavor I undertake. For that, I want to say thank you.”

Please join the St. Ignatius Loyola Academy community in celebrating Joe’s life and the gifts he shared with so many, keeping his wife Sheila and their daughters and sons in our prayers during this difficult time.

With Prayers and Gratitude,

Alex Zequeira
President