Professor Neville Britto

Professor Neville Bernard Britto was born on November 14, 1938 in Pallavaram, India, and immigrated to the United States in 1964 and became a citizen in 1967. He passed away peacefully and joined his beloved wife, Leatha Theresa (Herd) Britto, on August 31, 2016. Although not common in India, Neville was raised as a Catholic, having been baptized at St. Francis Xavier’s Church in Pallavaram on November 27, 1938. Neville was a longtime parishioner at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Saginaw, Michigan. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Economics at University Nagpur, India in 1959; a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Pontifical Urbaniana University of Rome in 1963 and a Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Michigan in 1971. His wonderful life was marked by an intense love for his wife and dedication to his family, students and community. He was also a tireless champion of diversity and social justice. He encouraged those who thought they had no hope, to succeed. He prodded those who were more fortunate to “do the right thing.” On November 22, 1974 Neville married Leatha, a widowed, passionate community activist and educator, and began a family that included seven children from her previous marriage, Stephanie Elaine Smith-Wilson (Fred), Herbert Junior (Vanessa) Herd, Keith Bolivar (Connie) Herd, Ronald Cortez (Priscilla) Herd, Theresa Maria (Tommie) Gipson, Joseph Bernard (Verlona) Herd, Kathleen Regina (Richard) Brown. Leatha and Neville were known for their garden and international meals at family gatherings. Until they became ill, they traveled throughout the U.S. as well as to such locations as Italy, France, Copenhagen, Canada and India. Neville’s career in education spanned more than fifty years and as a result, he had the honor of teaching multiple generations of families. He served in the Saginaw Catholic Diocese school system as an elementary school teacher, and elementary school principal (1964-1974). He also served as a secondary school teacher at Bridgeport (Michigan) Community School (1974-1980). Professor Britto began working at Delta College, University City (Bay City, Michigan), in August 1980. He was a lead instructor at the college’s Ricker and First Ward Centers and also taught on campus. He taught Freshman Composition, Elements of Grammar, Honors Advanced Composition, and literature. Well loved by students, colleagues and all other faculty and staff who had an opportunity to know and work with him, Neville was a caring, thoughtful teacher and author. His mother was British and his father Indian, and his book, Building Rainbows in My Life – The Best of E Pluribus Unum, celebrated diversity and was often used in secondary and post-secondary settings. “The differences we have are priceless, and we need to continue to respect all those who have other differences,” he wrote. During his tenure at Delta, Neville achieved numerous honors and awards. A recipient of the Bergstein Award for Teaching Excellence (twice – in 1988 and 2000), Neville also received the Don Laughner Award for Creative Change, the League for Innovation “Innovation of the Year” Award, the Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award, the American Association of University Professors Service Award, the Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award, and other awards from the Two-Year College Association, St. Joseph’s Parish, Nouvel High School and the United Way, just to name a few. Neville’s work in the community included serving as President of the Public Libraries of the Saginaw Board, Chair of the Westlund Child Guidance Clinic Board, Trustee of the Saginaw Valley Rehabilitation Center (SVRC) Board, member of the Saginaw Advocacy for Individuals with Disabilities Board, Past Treasurer of the Two-Year College Association, Past Chair of Delta’s Equity Board and a member of the college’s Human Resource Committee. Neville leaves to cherish his memory, two sisters Emeline Lemos (Jabalpur, India); June Britto (Bangalore, India); one brother, Rodney Britto (Copenhagen, Denmark); a special niece and nephew, Cheryl Ann Collaco and Kenneth Lemus; brother-in-law, James (Olivia) French); seven stepchildren; 23 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Neville was preceded in death by his parents Cecil Anthony Britto and Marjorie Irene (Walford) Britto, his brother Rev. Kenneth Britto, and his wife Leatha (DOD August 3, 2016). The family wishes to thank the Delta College and Saginaw communities and everyone whose paths intersected with Neville throughout his life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to St. Joseph Parish (Saginaw, Michigan) , Saginaw Public Libraries and Saginaw Advocacy for Individuals with Disabilities (SAID) a subsidiary of SVRC Industries, Inc. Neville’s Philosophy in Life and Teaching: "We are not like machine-made objects. We are more than just matter; we have feelings and experiences…material comfort alone is not enough…We need something deeper…human affection.” Source: Dalai Lama. The Compassionate Life. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2001. 7. Print. Funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 12, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 936 North 6th Street. Father Frank Voris, O.S.M. cap will officiate with interment in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Sunday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Family hour from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer vigil.

Professor Neville Britto

November 14, 1938 - August 31, 2016