Celebrating Br. Michael Frazette, SDB's Vocation

By Amy Marinaro

Br. Michael Frazette was born on May 3, 1916, in Brooklyn, NY. In 1933 Mike began his formation to become a Salesian coadjutor brother at Don Bosco College in Newton, NJ. During his formation, he focused on developing his skill as a tailor. After his profession of vows, Br. Mike remained at Don Bosco College to assist with the formation of young coadjutor brothers. When Don Bosco Technical High School was opened in Paterson, NJ, in 1949 Br. Mike was assigned there as a member of the faculty.

Br. Mike had a great devotion to Dominic Savio. When Dominic Savio was beatified in 1950, Br. Mike created the Dominic Savio Classroom Club (Savio Club) so that both elementary and high school children could be inspired by the life, leadership, service, and character of Dominic Savio. The club also had an impact on the lives of hundreds of young people every summer through its operation of Camp Savio in West Milford, NJ. In 1954 Br. Mike traveled with his colleague Fr. Paul Aronica to Rome for the canonization of Dominic Savio. This experience reinforced the importance and positive impact of the Savio Club on the young for Br. Mike and Fr. Paul.

Throughout his 57 years as a Salesian, Br. Mike was one of the most highly regarded members of the New Rochelle Province. Besides mentoring younger confreres, he served as a history teacher, guidance counselor, and staff member at Don Bosco College in Newton, Salesian High School in New Rochelle, Don Bosco Tech in Paterson, Mary Help of Christians School in Tampa, and Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey.

When Br. Mike began to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, he moved to the provincial house. He passed away in New Rochelle on October 29, 1995.

Based on the biography of Br. Michael Frazette included in Short Sketches of the Lives of Salesians Who Worked in the Province of St. Philip the Apostle during the 100 Years from 1898 to 1998 by Fr. Philip J. Pascucci, SDB (New Rochelle, 1998), pp. 81-83.