Legacy Project
Article by Archivist Br. Lawrence Stewart

December 10th

Brother Donald Edward Bailer, C.S.C.

The community lost a talented financial wizard and a cheerful, friendly member when Donald died at the age of 75. Donald attended elementary and high schools in Chicago and studied at Loyola University of Chicago, earning a B.Sc. in commerce in 1950. He worked with a corporation in Chicago, IL, for a year and then served in the Armed Forces during the Korean War conflict. He rejoined an accounting firm for 5 years and joined Holy Cross in 1957. Donald's first assignment was to teach at St. Joseph High School in South Bend, IN for 4 years, and then at Holy Cross High School in River Grove, IL, for 2 years. The majority of his busy life was spent in financial offices: 3 years as treasurer at Holy Trinity High School in Chicago, IL, and a total of 17 years as Provincial Steward for the Midwest Province at Notre Dame. Beginning in 1978, he served 11 years as financial officer and director of projects at Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills, CA. He lived in Santa Monica, CA, near the brothers in Sherman Oaks, CA, and for 7 years was the controller of Notre Dame High School, until serious health problems sent him to Dujarie House at Holy Cross Village. Donald's habitually good humor, friendly and steady temperament, coupled with his exceptional talent in financial affairs contributed to being frequently sought for his prudent and sage advice. His cheerful and optimistic confrontation with his terminal illness were exemplary to all of his close friends.