Br. Maurice C. Pelletier

BROTHER CLEMENT PELLETIER, S.C., 96, a Brother of the Sacred Heart and a resident of Pascoag, Rhode Island, since 2021, passed into eternal life in hospice care at Bayberry Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pascoag, RI, on Sunday, November 9, 2025.  

Brother Clement was born Maurice Clement Pelletier on June 29, 1929, in Woonsocket, RI, to the late Clément Pelletier of Canada and the late Leila Lucier of Massachusetts. He is survived by a niece, Cecile McCarron of Lake Wales, FL; a great nephew, Richard Bruyere and his wife, Beth, of Thompson, CT; and his cousin, Susan Pelletier of St. Hyacinthe, Canada.

As a pre-novice, Brother Clement entered the formation program of theBrothers of the Sacred Heart on March 30, 1947, in Sharon, MA.  He became a novice on August 23, 1948, at Harrisville, RI, and he professed first vows in Woonsocket, RI, on August 24, 1949.  His perpetual profession also took place in Woonsocket, RI, on August 8, 1955. In 2019,there was a great celebration when Brother Clement marked his 90thbirthday, his 70th anniversary of first profession, and his 60th year at St. Columba’s College in England.

Brother Clement prepared for his years in ministry as a Brother by earning several major qualifications: a Bachelor’s degree in History from SpringHill College in Mobile, AL (1952); a Master’s degree in English from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, VT (1958); and a diploma from the Catholic University of Australia in Melbourne in Guidance and Social Welfare (1993). During his 42-years in direct school ministry, Brother Clement taught at Sacred Heart Academy in Central Falls, RI; taught and administered at Rice Memorial H.S. in Burlington, VT; taught at Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket, RI; and taught and administered at Chisholm College in Melbourne, Australia. Most of his ministerial career, however, was spent on King Harry Lane in St. Albans, England, at St. Columba’s College (SCC).  It was at SCC that Clement hit his ministerial stride, serving as founder and teacher, and ultimately as Head of Sixth Form, Deputy Headmaster, Headmaster, career counselor, archivist, and President of the Old Boys (Alumni) Association.  Since Clement was in St. Albans so long – mostly from 1955 to 1988 and then again from 1991 to 2020 – his passion for all things British and all things “Columban” wenton, many of us believe, for several days after he passed away.

Brother Clement was a true religious educator who dedicated himself completely to his ministry, to his students, and to the community to which he belonged. A strong academician, he went to the Sorbonne to study and to perfect his French pronunciation to assist his pupils studying the language at all levels to perfect it.  Outside the classroom, Clement sought to develop all the gifts of his young charges and worked to promote the arts as well as athletics.  He personally directed several plays, including musicals, and he laid the groundwork for a lasting theater arts program at the College.  Though he never coached a “fixture” (i.e., a game), he attended nearly all his students’ competitions to cheer them on.

Lastly, Brother Clement was very ecumenical and devoted much of his time and life to the liturgy and life of St. Alban’s Abbey. He became the Friday Chaplain at the Abbey Cathedral and later, an often-sought-after guide. In 2000, Brother Clement was inducted as a canon of the Cathedral and Abbey of St Alban's, one of the proudest honors of his life.

A wake and Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Brother Clement on Saturday, November 22, 2025, in the Brothers’ Chapel at Pascoag Retirement Residence (685 Steere Farm Road, Pascoag, RI).  The wake will begin at 9:30 AM followed by the Eucharistic Liturgy at 10:30 AM.  A luncheon will be held in the Brothers’ Dining Room immediately following Clement’s interment in the Brothers’ cemetery on the Pascoag property.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Brother Clement’s honor to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Foundation (4600 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans, LA  70122).

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