Giant Legacy – Remembering Bernard Greene ’73

Bernard E. Greene ’73 was a giant of St. Benedict’s Prep — literally and figuratively. The Dean of Discipline for more than 30 years, the epitome of tough love to generations of Gray Bees, passed away on April 13.  

Headmaster Fr. Edwin Leahy, O.S.B. ’63 called Mr. Greene the soul of St. Benedict’s especially when it came to establishing the School’s core principals. “He connected the monks to the surrounding community like no other could; and by virtue of his character, he changed and saved countless lives. Tales of Bernie Greene will forever be told with admiration, laughter and our deepest gratitude.” 

Many of those tales were shared by alumni in an online memorial tribute to Mr. Greene. “He would just look at you and you got in line,” recalled Jim Daly ’83. “Yet, he was kind, respectful and cared about each of us.” It’s been 47 years since Mr. Daly arrived at The Hive, yet he vividly remembers his famous command, “See me in my office at 2:35,” the Dean’s finger pointed directly at him. “I was in his office too many times,” he admitted. “All kids today need a Mr. Greene.” 

“If you came through those doors on Martin Luther King Blvd, you knew Mr. Greene,” wrote A.J. Calloway ’93. “More importantly… he knew YOU. Not just your name but your story, your struggles, your potential and he never let you hide from any of it.” More than an authority figure, Mr. Greene was a role model and father figure to generation after generation of Gray Bees. 

“Mr. Greene showed up for us continuously,” Mr. Calloway continued. “He showed up after school. He showed up in the hallways. He showed up when we fought in the street. He showed up when some of us didn’t have fathers present, didn’t have guidance, didn’t have structured male discipline at home. For many of us, he became that figure. That steady presence. That voice in your head even when he wasn’t around: ‘Do the right thing.’”

Colleagues remember the tough dean was an incredible ally. “He was the older brother I didn’t know I needed,” said Derrick Hoff H’96, former Head Fencing Coach. “Bernard protected, guided and challenged me, and he did the same for every student who crossed his path. He led by example, always.”  

Former Head Soccer Coach Rick Jacobs H’90 recalled his own lack of “street cred” with the faculty when he started at St. Benedict’s in 1985. “One of the first guys that made me feel comfortable, that accepted me, that confided in me and that I confided in as well, was Bernard Greene.”

It is a sad irony observed Mr. Jacobs, that his friends’ heart gave out after numerous procedures and operations. “Bernard gave so much of his heart away to so many boys that became men that it [somehow] makes sense to me. He gave so much of it away so others could be the best version of themselves.”