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Brother Joseph A. Comber, C.F.X., 80, a member of the Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Francis Xavier for nearly sixty-two years, died Saturday, April 24, 2021 from complications related to a seven-year battle with ALS. Born in Lawrence, he was the son of the late Joseph and Eleanor (Guerin) Comber. He was raised in Lawrence and graduated as valedictorian of the Saint John’s Preparatory School Class of 1958. He entered the congregation that summer, receiving the holy habit and taking the religious name Brother Maximus. Brother Joe received his undergraduate degree from Catholic University and went on to do graduate studies at both Saint Louis University and the University of Chicago, where he earned his doctoral degree in 1975. He taught religious studies, Latin and German at his alma mater, St. John’s Prep, for twenty-five years. He also was an instructor of Sacred Scripture at Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton. In 1994, Brother Joe left teaching to begin a special ministry working as both a certified nursing assistant and restorative aide at Mary Immaculate Nursing Home in Lawrence. There, he worked with and cared for the elderly and infirm for twenty years until his retirement at the onset of his ALS diagnosis. He was a member of the Xaverian Brothers community in Melrose since 1972. In addition to his Brothers in religion, he leaves several cousins and their families. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 10:30AM in the Saint John’s Preparatory School Chapel, 72 Spring St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Xaverian Brothers Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to Mass in the Chapel from 9AM-10:15AM. Attendees are kindly asked to wear facial coverings and adhere to social distancing guidelines. In lieu of flowers, donations in Brother Joe’s memory may be made to the Xaverian Brothers Retirement Fund, 4409 Frederick Ave., Baltimore, MD 21229 or Compassionate Care ALS, P.O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574 (www.ccals.org). Arrangements are under the direction of C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. www.LyonsFuneral.com.

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Brother Joseph A. Comber C.F.X.

November 18, 1940 - April 24, 2021