Br. Raphael Willeke, former La Salle HS principal, dies Funeral Mass was held March 17 at St. Apollinaris Church in Napa for De La Salle Christian Brother Raphael (George Philipp) Willeke, 85, who died at Mont La Salle, Napa, on March 13. He had been a member of the De La Salle Christian Brothers for 67 years.

Born in San Francisco, he attended Mission Dolores Grammar School and graduated from St. Peter’s High School in 1944. He entered the novitiate a month after graduation and received the religious habit in December.

An alumnus of St. Mary’s College, he began his career as an educator at Cathedral High School in Los Angeles in 1948. He went on to serve as principal at Christian Brothers’ high schools in the state, including La Salle High School in Pasadena (1980-82). 

He served as vice-president of Mont La Salle Vineyards (The Christian Brothers Winery) from 1984-89 and was appointed and elected to many other Community and District positions of leadership during his distinguished career. According to his fellow Christian Brothers, he will be remembered for his devotion to his religious vocation, dedication to the Brothers and loving loyalty to his many friends. 

Sr. Laureen Boyle, OP Funeral Mass was held April 17 in Fremont for Dominican Sister of Mission San Jose Laureen Boyle, 79, who died April 5. 

Born in San Francisco, she entered the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange in 1952 and spent the next two decades as a teacher at several schools in California and Hawaii. In Southern California, she taught at St. Joseph, Santa Ana; St. Emydius, Lynwood; St. Joachim, Costa Mesa; and St. Cecilia, Tustin.

In 1971, Sister Boyle transferred to the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose and renewed perpetual vows on June 22, 1972. As a Dominican she continued her teaching ministry, locally teaching at St. Ignatius, Los Angeles; San Gabriel Mission Elementary, San Gabriel; St. Boniface, Anaheim; and Sacred Heart Elementary, Los Angeles.

Following her teaching ministry in addition to her religious community service and health care, Sister Boyle spent a number of years as a volunteer at Washington Township Hospital in Fremont. 

Memorials may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund or the Mother Pia Backes Education Fund, 43326 Mission Blvd. Fremont, CA 94539; or the Vision of Hope Fund, 1555 34th Ave., Oakland, CA 94612. 

Fr. Paul Maria Caporali, SDB   Funeral Mass was held March 16 at St. Dominic Savio Church, Bellflower, for Salesian Father Paul Caporali, 89, who died March 6. He had been a member of the Salesian society of St. John Bosco for over 66 years and a priest for over 57 years. 

An Italian native, he first met the Salesians in his hometown of Terni, Italy, at the Salesian “Oratorio” there. His life took a dramatic turn on Aug. 11, 1943 when Allied bombers killed his mother, aunt, niece and fiancée in Terni.

Professing as a Salesian in 1945, he was sent as a missionary to the USA four years later. He was tapped to help with the establishment of the future Don Bosco Tech in the L.A. Archdiocese, where he spent practically all his ministry.

At Don Bosco Tech in Rosemead, Father Caporali was chair of the metallurgy department (the first of its kinds in the U.S.), catechist, dean of technology and director of development besides being a teacher. He also served as director of St. Joseph’s Youth Renewal Center in Rosemead (1977-81) and as associate pastor at St. Dominic Savio (1987-99).

Father Caporali was also archdiocesan chaplain for the Knights of Columbus and the Blue Army. His love for the Blessed Mother was evident in his work among the Italians and Marian groups and he led many pilgrimages to the Marian shrines of the world. The Marian group which he started at St. Joseph’s has met almost every Saturday evening for Mass and devotions since its inception at the Lourdes Grotto on the parish grounds. 

In 1999, Father Caporali returned to St. Joseph’s Youth Renewal Center (and now novitiate) where he ministered until his death, endearing himself to many at church, retreats, meetings and school with his sense of humor, magic tricks and his love for Our Lady. 

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