Bro. Alan C. Harrod, C.S.C.

Valatie- Alan Charles Harrod was born in Medina, New York, on May 12, 1943. The family home where Alan grew up was located in the Village of Barker, just a few miles south of Lake Ontario and 50 miles north of Buffalo, New York. His father, Elton Reid Harrod, was a foreman for the Southland Frozen Foods company. His mother, Minnie Rose Hass, was a teacher. Alan had a younger sister, Pamela.

Alan was baptized on June 6, 1943 at St. Patrick's Church in Barker. He received his elementary education at Barker Center School, and his faith education on release time from the public school. Early on, Alan was attracted to the life of the Church. He was inspired by a priest who was joyful in his vocation, and by a seminarian with whom he corresponded. Alan received the sacrament of confirmation at St. Patrick's on May 14, 1956, and decided that he wanted to go to Catholic high school to learn more about his faith. He was active in the Catholic Youth Organization and the Holy Name Society in his parish.

From 1957-1961, Alan attended DeSales Catholic High School in Lockport, New York, run by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. He wrote: "The training I received in that school made me see the value of a Catholic education; it made me want to serve God more and more. And as time went by, as I realized how little I knew about my faith, I came to think of Catholic education as indispensable." Desiring to place himself in God's service, but not as a priest, he discovered the vocation of the Brother in the Church and researched several congregations. "Since I was now in the midst of my junior year in high school and knew the nature and benefit of a Catholic education, I chose Holy Cross so that I might be able to teach our youth of Christ and His love."

In June of 1961, after graduating from DeSales, Alan entered the candidate program for the Brothers of Holy Cross at St. Joseph Juniorate, Valatie, New York. Two months later, he was received into St. Joseph Novitiate, Valatie, New York, where he made his first profession of vows on August 23, 1962, and his final profession of vows on August 23, 1968.

After first vows, Brother Alan was assigned to undergraduate studies at Stonehill College, North Easton, Massachusetts. He graduated in 1966, with a concentration in French and English. His first teaching assignment was to Holy Cross High School, Flushing, New York, where he taught for the next six years, 1966-1972. With summer study, he earned his master's degree from the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, in 1973.

Brother Paul Rahaim, Provincial Superior of the Brothers' Eastern Province, wrote in 1987 on the occasion of Brother Alan's 25th anniversary of vows:

Alan visited the Mackin community [in 1968] shortly after the riots following the death of Dr. Martin Luther King. After viewing the damage in and around the brother's residence, he was sure he never wanted to be assigned there. Needless to say, in 1972, Alan was asked to go to Mackin as director of the community and teacher in the school. During his years in Washington, Alan [became] truly sensitive and aware of the needs of the less fortunate among us. Working among the Black community in Washington [gave] him a better understanding of the sin of prejudice and racism.

Alan became actively involved with St. Augustine's parish in which the brothers' residence is located. After ten years as a full-time teacher at Mackin, he joined the parish staff in a part-time position as director of services for the elderly and homebound while continuing part-time at Mackin. In 1985, Alan was asked to assume the position of Vice Principal, Director of Studies at Mackin Catholic High school.

Brother John Flood, who has been serving in East Africa since 1973, picks up the narrative:

After visiting Uganda one summer, Alan accepted an assignment to Fort Portal in 1990. He taught French at St. Mary's Minor Seminary, but a man of his talents was soon taken to Jinja where ...he took charge of the candidate program. ...While meeting the many challenges of establishing a new formation program, Bro. Alan was also able to continue his teaching ministry at the PCJ (Philosophical Center, Jinja) and taught both French and English. This was Bro. Alan's ministry for most of the decade until he was asked to be Vocations Director for the District - a ministry he carried out until 2009. So, for almost two decades all the brothers and seminarians of the District passed through his hands either as candidates or applicants. His impact on the formation of what is now the Province of East Africa cannot be overestimated.

The fact that Bro. Alan began his ministry in Africa when he was approaching fifty years old when most people are set in their ways is quite remarkable! Certainly his ministry at Mackin was a preparation in spite of the great differences between African American culture and African culture. Bro. Alan had a unique personality and was blessed with a great sense of humor. However, he was no fool and could be both gentle and tough at the same time. His gentleness and compassion endeared him to many and he was greatly missed when he returned to the U.S. over ten years ago.

Along with his other responsibilities, Brother Alan served capably and generously as a director of local Holy Cross communities, a member of the District Council, Assistant Superior, and administrator for the District of East Africa. In 2017, he retired to St. Joseph Center, Valatie, New York, at age 74. He was delighted to be asked by Superior General, Rev. Robert Epping, to be the translator for the visit of the General Administration to Haiti in 2018. In his last years, a number of health issues increasingly slowed him down, but finally, recovery from hip surgery after a fall was more than his body could sustain. Brother Alan, in the 64th year of his life as a religious of Holy Cross, passed away in the company of his Brothers and the care-giving staff at St. Joseph Center on February 15, 2026.

In the days preceding his death, as prayers were requested for him, testimonies were shared about the impact of life of this good and faithful servant. Among them, these reflections from Father Thomas Smith, at the Holy Cross Novitiate in Fort Portal, Uganda:

The contribution Alan made to the life and growth of our East Africa District and to the many members he "fished" as Vocation Director, inspired as formator, and guided as an important district leader and administrator is remarkable. But what I remember and treasure most as we pray him into God's loving hands is his faithful friendship and encouragement throughout our years together. He was always a good listener, comfortable to be around, enjoyable and insightful company in times whether social or serious. And his patient, quiet and humble care for the many poor people who found him approachable, patient and kind as they shared their needs was an inspiration. He was a true brother to me and to so many others, and I give thanks for his dedicated life in Holy Cross and for the friendship we shared.

Brother Alan came to Holy Cross desiring "to teach our youth of Christ and His love." Having fulfilled this desire in ways he may not have anticipated, may our Brother Alan, beloved on two continents, rejoice now in the fullness of God's love.

Brother Alan's Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026 in the Chapel at St. Joseph Center, 495 Maple Ln. Valatie, NY 12184. Relatives are invited to visit with Brother Alan's family prior to the Mass from 9:00-11:00 a.m. in the chapel. The Rite of Committal will immediately follow in the St. Joseph Center Cemetery.